Broadband revolution to reach 6000

IT consultant Shawn Coyne of SC Tech in Goodna is looking forward to the NBN roll out in the area.

David Nielsen

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ABOUT 6000 homes and businesses are now being connected to the National Broadband Network (NBN) as the second stage of the rollout in Goodna is completed.

However, the network is not due to go live in the Ipswich suburb until November this year.

The highly controversial Federal Government plan to deliver high-speed broadband to all Australians through the NBN Corporation will cost $36 billion, and Goodna will be one of the first areas in this region to access the digital network.

About 3000 homes were included in stage one of the Goodna project and a total of 16700 premises in the area will be connected by the end of this year.

Shawn Coyne, owner of Goodna IT consultancy SCTech, is looking forward to the arrival of the NBN after encountering internet and phone connection problems with Telstra when he first moved to the area in 2000.

"Internet connections are important to residents everywhere at the moment because of how much our lives is based on social networking and getting information from loved ones overseas," Mr Coyne said.

"The National Broadband Network's primary advantage is that it provides a much larger pipe to send information to the internet than current technologies - to the tune of five times faster for most implementations."

NBN Co will re-use existing Telstra infrastructure where possible, replacing copper wiring with low maintenance and hardier fibre optics to ensure its longevity.

Mr Coyne said the introduction of an independently owned wholesaler such as NBN Co should mean a win for consumers.

"All the retailers can compete on a level platform," he added.

NBN Co has committed to providing a uniform national wholesale basic access price of $24 a month to retail service providers, who will then announce the range of plans to be offered to customers.

Some retailers, such as Exetel and iinet, have already begun to advertise pricing with entry-level services costing around $40 a month.

But not all Goodna residents are excited about the NBN's arrival.

Retiree George Chris has also had a series of problems with internet service providers in the past and is always on the hunt for a mid-range download package that is affordable for pensioners.

Asked if he would join the NBN, Mr Chris told The Queensland Times: "I would if it was reasonable, but if it's too expensive then I've got no alternative but to go somewhere else."

Long Nguyen, a dental procedurist at Goodna Dental Clinic, said cost would be the deciding factor for him.

He said he didn't expect the business to employ NBN Co's services immediately as it does not require a high-speed connection. "But maybe in the future," he said.

While residents are aware of the network and NBN Co's existence, little is known about how they can eventually access the service.

"If I knew how, I'd be signing up for a connection straight up," Mr Coyne said. "There just needs to be the information on the NBN Co website."

The fibre-to-the-premises rollout is planned to reach 93% of Australian homes, businesses and schools by June 2021.

Fibre facts

Like to know more about the National Broadband Network?

NBN Co communications manager Rhonda Griffin said a public education campaign would soon be launched and she expects retail service providers in Goodna will increase advertising as the rollout completion date nears.

For more information on NBN Co and the Goodna rollout visit www.nbnco.com.au or call 1800 881 816.