NBN

The NBN (National Broadband Network) is a Federal government initiative aimed at improving national internet speeds in an increasingly digital age. The NBN commenced its 3 year Australia-wide rollout plan in June 2013. NBN Co (a wholly-owned Commonwealth company that has been prescribed as a Government Business Enterprise) was formed in 2009 and contracted to implement the NBN.

What does this mean?
According to the Department of Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy: “the NBN will provide high-speed broadband access to all Australian homes and businesses through a mix of three technologies: optic fibre, fixed wireless and next-generation satellite.93 per cent of Australian homes, schools and businesses will have access to the NBN through optic fibre to premises, capable of providing broadband speeds of up to one gigabyte per second.”

This large-scale, Australia wide endeavor will connect 93% of homes, schools and workplaces with optical fibre (fibre to the premises or “FTTP”), providing superfast broadband services to Australians in urban and regional towns. The remaining hard-to-reach 7% will be connected to the NBN by fixed wireless and satellite technology.

The Federal government estimates that “more than six million homes and businesses will be able to access or be in progress to receive NBN services by mid-2016.”

For more information about the NBN, visit the Federal government’s NBN website.