Rollout of the network ramps-up in capital cities as the project reaches halfway mark

One in two Australians can now connect to the nbn™ network as the rollout of the nation’s largest ever infrastructure project officially passed the halfway point today.

More than 5.7 million homes and businesses are now able to order a service from their retailer as nbn continues to ramp-up the rollout of the network by adding up to 100,000 new properties to its footprint each week.

The company today also highlighted its plans to begin further construction work across suburbs within the capital cities as well as outer metro regions such as Gold Coast, Gladstone, Bendigo, Port Macquarie and Geelong.

nbn’s Chief Executive Officer, Bill Morrow, said: 

“I’m proud to announce that one in two Australians are now able to enjoy the benefits of fast broadband by connecting to the nbn™ network through a retailer. Nationwide access to fast broadband will become the platform to launch Australia into the next phase of its digital future – it will change what our jobs will look like, where we will live and how we fare on a global scale." 

“We are seeing great demand for fast broadband across the country – there are currently around three in four homes and businesses who have signed-up to services over the nbn™ network following the 18 month window they are provided to make the switch. Our team will continue to ramp-up the rollout of the network to help meet this demand in the coming months as we start further construction work across the capital cities and outer metro areas.

“The rollout of the nbn™ network is one of the most complex and ambitious initiatives to be undertaken in any market across the world. We’re building a nationwide network that has the ability to deliver wholesale speeds which are currently around eight times faster than the average capacity available on the majority of Australia’s existing broadband services. Our team is on budget and ahead of schedule to connect millions of Australian homes and businesses in the next few years and ask for your patience as we make the transition from the old to the new network." 

“To ensure Australians get the best possible internet experience, it’s important they understand the role of nbn as the access network connecting their homes and businesses to services provided by retailers. Speeds experienced over the nbn™ network are influenced by a range of factors such as the technology used to deliver the network as well as equipment quality, broadband plans, signal reception and the age of the smart devices being used to connect to the internet.”

The rollout of the nbn™ network is scheduled to be three quarters built by mid-next year and complete by 2020. 

For more information about when the nbn™ network will be available in your area as well as how to pick a package which suits the needs of your home or business visit the nbn website.

Questions to ask before connecting to the nbn™ network:

• What speed tiers are offered?
• Which service providers are available to me?
• How much data do I need?
• Will my existing services be affected?
• Will my devices be compatible?

Notes to editors

• The exact number of premises and the regions covered by may vary once nbn has finalised its construction planning.
• The anticipated technology to be deployed as well as their ready-for-service date may change depending on a number of factors once the construction planning stage has been finalised. Some areas may be serviced by multiple technologies.
• Calculation of the capacity of the nbn™ network is based on a weighted average of all the technologies currently available on the network compared with the ADSL2 service provided to the majority of Australians.

About nbn:

• nbn is building a new and upgraded, fast wholesale broadband network to enable communities across Australia to access fast broadband from their retail service provider. Our goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
• The rollout of the nbn™ access network sets the scene for the biggest transformation to Australia’s telecommunications industry involving retail service provider network upgrades and the establishment of a network of networks to bring fast broadband to all Australians.
• Connecting to the nbn™ network is not automatic and is a process which may take some time and preparation. nbn is working with the service providers and industry to help them better understand who is responsible for which portions of their internet experience and what steps they can take in order to receive the best possible service.
• Fast broadband like that delivered via the nbn™ network can provide a range of benefits for Australians such as opportunities to work from home, access to online education tools and options for on-demand entertainment.