Nearly three in four homes and businesses now able to connect to services over the nbn™ access network

The rollout of the nbn™ broadband access network is one step closer to completion with nearly three in four Australian homes and businesses now able to connect.

With the  company due to complete the network rollout in 2020, today more than 99.5 per cent of Australia’s households and businesses are either in design, construction or are already able to order a service over the nbn™ access network.

To coincide with today’s milestone announcement, the company also highlighted locations across the country that are expected be ready to connect to a service over the nbn™ access network between now and the middle of the year.

More than 8.1 million homes and businesses are now able to order a service from their preferred retailer. By the end of June, an additional 628,000 homes and businesses are expected to be able to connect to the network, with the bulk of the footprint rolling out in suburbs across Australia’s capital cities.

NBN Co’s Chief Network Deployment Officer, Kathrine Dyer, said:

“As we enter the final stages of the build and we scale up in metro areas, we are pleased to announce that nearly three in four Australian homes and businesses are now able to experience the benefits of fast broadband by connecting to an nbn™ plan through a retailer today.

“We are committed to a more connected Australia, bringing access to fast broadband to more than 40,000 new homes and businesses every week.

“As we connect Australians like never before, we’re starting to see the benefits of fast broadband. Our Connecting Australia report, conducted by analytics firm Alpha Beta, suggests the network is helping to drive economic benefits with an estimated $10.4 billion additional economic growth in 2021 and an estimated 31,000 new jobs by 2021.

“Over the coming months, many Australians, will see NBN Co contractors performing construction work in their community, building the infrastructure that will provide them fast broadband services over the nbn™ access network.

“For those who are already able to connect but who have not yet done so, we encourage you to make the switch now, to start experiencing the benefits of fast broadband sooner than later. It’s important to do your research to ensure you’re on the right speed and data plan for your broadband requirements, as well as take some simple steps such as checking your in-home set-up*.”

Check, Select, Connect: Tips to help improve your in-home broadband experience*

• Step one: check your internet usage before connecting to an nbn™ - powered plan from a phone and internet provider. It’s important to choose a speed based on the usage of your home or business. People should think about evening usage, particularly between 7pm and 11pm when internet traffic is at its peak, how many people will be online together, as well as the devices being used and the purpose they are being used for.
• Step two: select the right plan, in terms of speed and data, from your phone and internet provider. Once you have checked your usage, you should get in touch with your phone and internet provider to see which plan has the speed and data that best suits your home or business needs.
• Step three: connect and put your modem in an ideal place, then check your in-home set-up. The placement of your Wi-Fi router/modem and the quality of your existing in-home cabling may help improve your online experience. Make sure you put your Wi-Fi router/modem in a central position, away from thick walls and furniture.

The rollout of the nbn™ access network is scheduled to complete in 2020. For more information about when the nbn™ access network will be available in your area as well as how to pick a package that suits the needs of your home or business visit the nbn™ website.

Notes to editors

• NBN Co is building a new and upgraded wholesale broadband access network to enable communities across Australia to access fast broadband from their phone and internet provider. Our goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020. Rollout dates, technology, areas and boundaries are based on NBN Co’s current deployment plans and are subject to change.
• The rollout of the nbn™ access network sets the scene for the biggest transformation to Australia’s telecommunications industry involving phone and internet provider network upgrades and the establishment of a network to provide access to fast broadband to Australians.
• NBN Co’s expected take-up rate for services over the network is circa 75 per cent in 2021.  This target is across all technology types and geographies within Australia.  The predicted take-up rate is set for beyond 2020 given the migration window period, which creates a natural lag time.
• Connecting to the nbn™ access network is not automatic. Eligible consumers are encouraged to check their address on the nbn™ website to find out when the nbn™ access network is available in their area and how to pick a package that suits their needs.
• * An end user’s experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ access network, depends on the nbn™ access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to their premises, whether they are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside of nbn’s control (like their equipment quality, software, chosen broadband plan, signal reception, or how their provider designs its network).  Speeds may also be impacted by the number of concurrent users on the Fixed Wireless network, particularly during busy periods. Sky Muster™ satellite users may also experience latency.