The National Broadband Network (NBN) is new high-speed broadband network comprising three technologies – optic fibre, fixed wireless and satellite – which will provide high-speed broadband access to all Australian premises.

• Ninety three per cent of Australian homes, schools and businesses will have access to the NBN through fibre to the premises technology, capable of providing broadband speeds of up to one gigabit per second.
• Seven per cent of premises will have access to the NBN through next-generation high-speed fixed wireless and satellite technologies, providing peak speeds of 12 megabits per second.

The NBN will be Australia’s first national wholesale-only, open access, high-speed broadband network. This means NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) – the company established by the government to design, build and operate the NBN – will roll out the network and sell wholesale services to service providers (such as your internet or phone provider). In turn service providers will be able to offer retail services to consumers.

This is a significant structural change to Australia’s telecommunications industry, aimed at encouraging vibrant retail competition.

National Digital Economy Strategy

 The Australian Government’s aim is that by 2020, Australia will be among the world’s leading digital economies.

By providing reliable, ubiquitous high-speed broadband to all Australian premises, the NBN is an essential first step towards positioning Australia as a leading global digital economy by 2020.

June 2011 OECD statistics show Australia is now ranked 21st out of 34 countries for fixed broadband subscribers. Australians also pay more for broadband than most OECD countries—for average subscription prices, Australia is:

• 3rd most expensive for low-speed connections (out of 24 countries)
• 14th most expensive for high-speed connections (out of 33 countries)
• 12th most expensive for very high-speed connections (out of 28 countries)

The OECD report, Economic Survey of Australia 2010, released November 2010, stated that the NBN strategy ‘will improve internet services for the entire population and promote a fairer competition between private firms on retail services’.

Find out more about the key characteristics of the NBN that will support Australia becoming a leading global digital economy by 2020.

Watch the ABC Four Corners report on The National Broadband Network – ‘A grand vision or a grand folly’.