The nbn™ broadband access network has now surpassed the halfway milestone; so we are well on our way to reaching our goal of connecting Australia by 2020.

While we’re doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for Australians, we know that businesses in particular require special attention as they connect, so as to minimise disruptions to the day-to-day running of their business.

With this in mind we are working closely with Retail Service Providers (RSPs) to migrate 200,000 business 'Special Services' – telecommunications products that simultaneously use voice, video and data services – across to the nbn™ access network ahead of the first disconnection in November 2018*.

This is the first time that nbn has triggered the disconnection of 'Special Services'.

Whilst other business services have already been able to connect to the nbn™ access network, we’ve waited until now to connect businesses with ‘Special Services’ as they involve particularly complex technology.

For example, ‘Special Services’ technology could be deployed by large businesses with multiple sites – meaning they have fast and symmetrical speed requirements, multi-line telephony and video conferencing facilities, or small and medium-sized businesses with multiple phone lines who use Integrated Subscriber Digital Lines (ISDN) to connect their voice services.

Because it is complex, we know that businesses may be confused about what they need to do to switch over their affected ‘Special Services’, so to ensure all affected businesses are well equipped we’ve updated the information on our website, will be sending information packs to affected businesses and our team are continuing to work closely with retail service providers to ensure their customers are supported.

Although disconnection dates for ‘Special Services’ technologies will vary – with the countdown for the first Special Services disconnection now commenced – we encourage businesses who have, or think they may have, a ‘Special Service’ to allow themselves extra time to migrate across to the nbn™ access network in order to ensure they do not lose access to these services.

This effective planning of businesses migration is key to minimising disruption. We’re already seeing a number of businesses that have successfully migrated their ‘Special Services’ across to the new network now enjoying the benefits of fast broadband. 

* Disconnection dates vary and not all Special Services will be disconnected – whether a service will be disconnected, and the timing of disconnection will depend on factors including the type of Special Service, when the nbn™ broadband access network is available, which nbn™ access technology is available and whether Telstra has issued a BAU product exit in respect of a Special Service. To find out if your services will be affected, and applicable disconnection dates, contact your current phone or internet service provider.