NBN Co is offering a free standard connection to the network when the NBN is first rolled out in each suburb and people are encouraged to take up this offer when the network comes to their area.

There will be lots of information available to ensure people know when the NBN is being rolled out in their area, and what they need to do.

Decisions on whether people will have to pay if they decide later that they want an NBN connection have not yet been made.

As of February 2013, there are more than 30 providers offering NBN services.

Information on NBN retail plans and prices is available from service providers’ websites.

To find out which providers are offering services in your area,visit NBN Co’s website .

The timing of your connection to the NBN will depend on your arrangement with your service provider.

If your service provider becomes an NBN service provider, they may offer to migrate you to the NBN before your contract expires. Otherwise, there may be options to exit your contract early or move to another provider that offers NBN services.

Please speak to your service provider in the first instance if you are interested in getting an NBN service.

For more information on NBN service providers visit NBN Co’s website .

Yes, if your internet service provider offers services on the NBN.

For more information about NBN service providers visit NBN Co’s website .

NBN Co is offering a free standard connection to the network when the NBN is first rolled out in each suburb. People will generally not need to rewire their home.

Some people may want additional wiring or outlets installed in their home for a variety of reasons, and if so they can discuss those options with service providers – this is the same situation that exists now with any broadband service.

Existing computers that are capable of using a broadband internet connection should not need to be upgraded to connect to the NBN.

Yes. Under the NBN every home, school and workplace will have access to high-speed broadband and the NBN rollout is prioritising regional areas.

See when the NBN is coming to your area: Visit NBN Co’s website >

The Australian Government provides direct support for eligible low income Australians to access telecommunications services, including internet, through the telephone allowance administered by the Department of Human Services. 

You can call Centrelink on 13 23 00 or visit Centrelink’s website for more information.

A number of telecommunications service providers also offer discounts to eligible pensioners and should be contacted directly for more information.

You can find a list of NBN service providers on NBN Co’s website .

A number of telecommunications service providers also offer discounts to eligible pensioners and should be contacted directly for more information.

You can find a list of NBN service providers on NBN Co’s website.

For more information on initiatives for seniors see our quick links.

In addition, Telstra will be required to continue to have in place its Access for Everyone package of products and arrangements for low-income consumers .

It is expected that a range of suitable plans will be available over the NBN, depending on your needs and budget.

Service providers are now offering NBN services that compare favourably with prices for ADSL2+ broadband services, but deliver superior performance and the option to upgrade to speeds much faster than those available on the copper network.

NBN fibre plans start from $29.95 per month for a 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and one Mbps upload (12/1 Mbps) service with a 15 GB data allowance.

Competition between NBN service providers has already resulted in some reducing the prices of their NBN plans while also increasing data allowances.

Importantly, the NBN will mean that consumers no longer have to pay line rental fees, with some providers including access to telephony at no extra cost or for a small additional fee that typically includes phone calls.

Consumers may also want to consider new technologies, such as a phone service using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.

VoIP uses the internet to carry calls and can be more cost effective, depending on individual requirements. People should speak to their service provider in the first instance to discuss which service is right for them.

You can find out more about VoIP services by visiting the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network’s website .

You can find a list of NBN service providers on NBN Co’s website .

You can also compare NBN retail plans on independent plan comparison websites, such as Whistleout .

NBN Co will sell wholesale services to internet and telephone providers. These companies will then offer retail services to you.

The wholesale access price of NBN services will be the same across all three technologies – $24 a month for a basic service with speeds of 12 megabits per second (Mbps) download and one Mbps upload.

This means wherever you live or do business, for the first time the same wholesale price will be paid for the same basic service.

Underlining the government’s commitment to universal, affordable broadband, NBN Co has proposed freezing its entry-level wholesale service prices at $24 for five years.

Any future increases would be limited to less than the rate of inflation.

The government has established NBN Co Limited (NBN Co), to design, build and operate the NBN. NBN Co is a wholly Commonwealth-owned company.

NBN Co will remain in full government ownership until the network is built and fully operational, ensuring the government’s objectives are met.

On 28 March 2011, the Parliament passed the NBN Companies Act 2011 and the Telecommunications Legislation Amendments (National Broadband Network Measures – Access Arrangements) Act 2011.

These Acts set out a clear and robust process that must be followed before the Commonwealth can privatise NBN Co.

The future privatisation of NBN Co will be subject to a rigorous process, including a review by the Productivity Commission, consideration by a Joint Parliamentary Committee and the decision of the Parliament of the day.

For more information on NBN Co and its operations visit NBN Co’s website .

On 8 August 2012, NBN Co’s Corporate Plan 2012-15 confirmed the total capital expenditure for the project is estimated to be $37.4 billion, less than the government’s original $43 billion estimate. The government expects to contribute $30.4 billion in equity for the rollout.

NBN Co’s Corporate Plan confirms that the NBN will provide all Australians with world-class broadband on a financially viable basis at affordable prices.

The Digital Enterprise is a free program that will assist small-to-medium enterprises and not-for-profit organisations (including local cultural organisations) to better understand how they can take advantage of the National Broadband Network (NBN) and online opportunities more generally.

Participants will learn how to use the NBN to diversify their operations by allowing them to improve their online presence, offer new products and services, expand their market, improve their competitiveness, and increase their means of communicating with customers and suppliers.
Those who attend one or more training seminars will also be eligible to receive an additional four hours of tailored one-on-one training to assist them with their individual business requirements.

When will the Digital Enterprise program operate?
The program will be delivered over three years from 2011-12 to 2013-14.

Where will the Digital Enterprise program be established?
The Digital Enterprise program will be available in the first 40 communities that will benefit from the NBN.
 
Why is the government running this program?
Evidence repeatedly indicates that a key reason cited for not being connected online is a lack of perceived need. The Digital Enterprise program will communicate the benefits of the NBN and demonstrate its relevance to those small-to-medium enterprises and not-for-profit organisations (including local cultural institutions) not yet online.

Without such assistance there is a very real risk of declining productivity and competitiveness, and regional communities becoming economically stranded because of a lack of up-take of new technology.

How can I find out more?
For more information, please contact the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy via freecall on 1800 017 984, weekdays between 8.30am and 5.00pm or email digitalenterprise@dbcde.gov.au

A ‘Digital Hub’ is a community-based computer training and internet access point containing a number of internet ready computers.

Each Digital Hub will be run by staff that will provide training and assistance to explain the benefits of participating online, to drive greater digital literacy skills and to demonstrate the possibilities of using the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Participants will learn how to engage in basic online activities such as setting up an email account; conducting effective internet searches; participating in e-commerce and online shopping; accessing government services; and connecting with family and friends online.

Those who attend a Digital Hub will also have the opportunity to experience the kinds of online services and quality of connection the NBN can deliver.

The Australian Government will provide funding of $23.8 million over three years from 2011-12 for a Digital Communities initiative, a key focus of which will be to establish the Digital Hubs program.

When will the Digital Hubs program operate?
The Program will be delivered over three years from 2011-12 to 2013-14.

Where will the Digital Hubs be available?
The Digital Hubs will be progressively established in the first 40 communities to benefit from the NBN.

Why is the government running this program?
Without such assistance there is a very real risk of a widening gap between those who engage in the digital economy and those who do not; declining productivity and competitiveness; and regional communities becoming economically stranded because of lack of up-take of new technology.

The benefits of online participation will be improved access to social inclusion, education, employment, economic gain and government services such as health and welfare by the regular use of broadband enabled by the NBN.

How can I find out more?
For more information, please contact the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy freecall on 1800 025 145, weekdays between 8.30am and 5.00pm or email digitalhubs@dbcde.gov.au

The digital economy is the global network of economic and social activities that are enabled by information and communications technologies, such as the internet, mobile and sensor networks.
Through participating in the digital economy Australia can boost its productivity, global competitiveness and social wellbeing.

Participating in the digital economy also provides opportunities to improve access to services for people living in rural and regional Australia.

Maximising the full potential of Australia’s digital economy is expected to help deliver improved wellbeing in the form of better economic, education, health, social and environmental outcomes for all Australians.

The NBN represents an investment in the underlying infrastructure that will support the growth of Australia’s digital economy into the future.

Effective use of the NBN is expected to bring benefits in terms of jobs and employment, health, education, the environment, social inclusion and recreation.

More information about Australia’s digital economy can be found in the Australian Government’s 2009 Australia’s Digital Economy: Future Directions paper and the Australian Government’s 2011 National Digital Economy Strategy.

The National Digital Economy Strategy (NDES) sets out a vision for Australia to realise the benefits of the NBN and position Australia as a leading digital economy by 2020.

Ensuring that Australia becomes a leading digital economy will contribute to Australia’s productivity, maintain our global competitiveness and improve our social wellbeing.

The NDES has eight goals, which aim to:

• increase Australian households’ online participation
• increase Australian business’ and not-for-profit organisations’ online engagement
• smartly manage our environment
• improve health and aged care
• expand online education
• increase teleworking
• improved online government service delivery and engagement
• increase digital engagement in regional Australia.

The NDES identifies important areas and initiatives that will contribute to moving Australia towards a digital economy.

The NBN is the first critical step; it will provide high-speed broadband to 100 per cent of Australian homes and businesses.

The NBN will be ubiquitous, reliable, affordable, equitable and well regulated. To accelerate the development of Australia’s digital economy, the Government has announced several new initiatives as part of the NDES.

These include Digital Communities, Digital Enterprise and tele-health trials.

The NDES also calls upon industry, the community and governments to work together to ensure that Australia becomes a leading digital economy by 2020.

For more information on the NBN, you can email us , free call 1800 023 076 or visit the following websites:

NBN Co – www.nbnco.com.au
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy – www.dbcde.gov.au

Nobody is obliged to connect to the NBN or any other telecommunications infrastructure.

However, such infrastructure is likely to be the only fixed line option available to service your home.

If you do not connect to the fibre service, you may have to rely on a wireless connection.

If your new house is in a brownfield area (an established area surrounded by existing premises), you may have access to a Telstra copper line.

However, once the NBN has been deployed, under an agreement between NBN Co and Telstra, customers migrated to the NBN and the copper network will be gradually decommissioned.

Yes, basic voice services are available from service providers on the NBN. If there is a delay in providing the permanent infrastructure, an interim voice service is available from Telstra, the universal service provider.

If there is no fixed line infrastructure available to Telstra, it may provide an interim voice service (e.g. using wireless).

If you have not requested a standard telephone service, but would like to do so, you should contact Telstra on 1800 331 286.

If Telstra advises that it does not have infrastructure in the area, you may want to indicate that you seeking an interim service under Telstra’s universal service obligation pending the NBN’s rollout.

Some builders offer wiring, data ports and sockets to take better advantage of the NBN.

There may be advantages to such inclusions but they are not NBN Co requirements and are optional. It is a matter for you to decide in consultation with your builder and/or cabler.

NBN Co offers a free connection to the network in new developments where it is providing fibre infrastructure. This includes the standard installation of a network termination device (the box which provides connection to the NBN) at the premises of all customers.

In some cases, charges may apply for non-standard installations. 

More information is available on NBN Co’s website .

As is currently the case when accessing broadband services today, this is up to you.

There are a number of options for how to wire a house for broadband. Some people may choose a minimal approach, for example if they wish to use w-fi in their home. Others may choose to have more extensive wiring so they can take maximum advantage of broadband services and applications.

To get the best outcome and prevent delays connecting services, you should talk to your builder or cabler, and potentially the telecommunications carrier, about your requirements and the wiring options available for your home when you are planning its construction.

Internal cabling should only be done by registered cablers. The Australian Communications and Media Authority is responsible for the regulation of cablers and internal wiring.

NBN Co will offer one standard connection including standard wiring.

For more information visit NBN Co’s website .

This will depend on local planning requirements, however, it is expected that fibre will be deployed underground in most new developments.

NBN Co offers a free connection to the network in new developments where it is providing fibre infrastructure. This includes the standard installation of a network termination device (NTD)—the box which provides connection to the NBN—at the premises of all customers.

A standard NBN connection requires a lead-in conduit from the street to your house (as would be the case with other telecommunications connections) and access to a power outlet for the installation of the NTD, which should be done at the building stage. Information on this can be found on NBN Co’s website .  You and your builder should discuss these requirements.

The NTD may already be installed when you move in if your builder has asked NBN Co to do so. If you would like the NTD to be pre-installed at your home, you should talk to your builder. Your builder will need to call NBN Co on 1800 687 626 to request a ‘NTD Pre-Install’ and make an appointment. If the NTD has not been pre-installed, it will be installed when you place an order through a retail service provider.

Once the NTD is installed and activated, for most people, it will be a simple exercise of plugging existing equipment into the NTD in order to access NBN services.

In general, it is the responsibility of developers to install fibre-ready facilities (pit and pipe) and arranging for the installation of telecommunications infrastructure.

Developers may choose any provider they wish to provide infrastructure to new developments.

Your developer should be able to tell you which carrier is providing telecommunications infrastructure in your estate.

You should ask the person that is selling the property about what telecommunications infrastructure and retail services will be provided in the development, and when services will be available and consider whether the services proposed will meet your needs.

It is important that residents in new developments have access to modern telecommunications services.

While there are a number of providers that can install infrastructure in a new development, they do so on a commercial basis.

There may be circumstances where they cannot provide services or the developer does not wish to engage these providers.

In these circumstances it is important that there is a telecommunications company that is obliged to provider infrastructure so that the residents have access to telecommunications services. Companies which are required to provider infrastructure are known as ‘providers of last resort’.

NBN Co’s rollout map shows the new developments and stages which are currently under construction, and the new developments and stages where NBN services are already available.

NBN Co also provides monthly forecasts for progress in new developments on its website .

Residents can also receive automatic updates about the NBN rollout in their development.

To receive notifications about the rollout, you can call NBN Co on 1800 687 626.

Under the Australian Government’s policy, a developer can choose any carrier to install telecommunications infrastructure in their development.

If a developer does not wish to use another provider, NBN Co and Telstra are the infrastructure providers of last resort.

If a developer does not choose another provider, NBN Co must provide fibre in developments approved after 1 January 2011:

• that have 100 lots or more
• in areas that are fibre ready and capable of installing connections to the NBN
• in locations which NBN Co has announced will receive fibre to the premises within 12 months of that particular announcement.

NBN Co can also install in smaller developments where it is practical to do so.

If a developer does not choose another provider, Telstra is responsible for providing infrastructure and services in developments approved prior to 1 January 2011, still awaiting infrastructure, or developments of less than 100 premises approved after 1 January 2011, pending the rollout of fibre by NBN Co.

The Australian Government’s fibre in new developments policy covers all developments regardless of type or location.  It includes, for example, greenfield and infill developments, single and multiple-dwelling units and residential and commercial premises.

The NBN will have the appropriate levels of reliability, resilience and security. NBN Co is working closely with security and law enforcement agencies in the design and construction of the NBN to meet the necessary security requirements.

A ‘bit’ is a basic unit of information in computing.

‘Bits per second’ (bps) is a common measure for data transmission speed. The speed in bps is equal to the number of bits transmitted or received each second.

Larger units are often used to indicate high data speed:

• kilobits per second (kbps) – one thousand bits per second
• megabits per second (Mbps) – one million bits per second (1 Mbps = 1000 kbps)
• gigabits per second (Gbps) – one thousand million bits per second (1 Gbps = 1000 Mbps )

NBN Co offers a free connection to the network in new developments where it is providing fibre infrastructure.

A standard NBN connection requires a lead-in conduit from the street to your house (as would be the case with other telecommunications connections) and access to a power outlet for the installation of the NTD (the box which provides connection to the NBN), which should be done at the building stage.

Information on this can be found on NBN Co’s website .  You and your builder should discuss these requirements.

The NTD may already be installed when you move in if your builder has asked NBN Co to do so. If you would like the NTD to be pre-installed at your home, you should talk to your builder.

Your builder will need to call NBN Co on 1800 687 626 to request a ‘NTD Pre-Install’ and make an appointment. If the NTD has not been pre-installed, it will be installed when you place an order through a service provider.

Once the NTD is installed and activated, for most people, it will be a simple exercise of plugging existing equipment into the NTD in order to access NBN services.

Yes. The NBN will provide faster, more reliable broadband access to all Australian homes and businesses through a mix of three technologies: optic fibre, fixed wireless and next-generation satellite.

The NBN will progressively replace the ageing copper network in optic fibre areas.

Yes. 100 per cent of Australians homes and businesses will have access to the NBN.

See also: When will I get the NBN?

Yes. You will be able to choose a fixed-line, voice-only phone service, without taking out a broadband internet package.

Like the copper network, the NBN optic fibre network can support voice or broadband services, or both.

You may also want to consider a phone service using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, depending on your requirements. VoIP uses the internet to carry your calls and in some cases can be more cost effective.

You should speak to your internet or telephone service provider to discuss which service is right for you.

You can find out more about VoIP services by visiting the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network’s website .

You can also visit NBN Co’s website for a list of NBN service providers.

NBN Co is offering a free standard connection to the network when the NBN is rolled out in each suburb. This includes the standard installation of a network termination device (the box which provides connection to the NBN) at the premises of all customers.

This installation means that, for most people, it will be a simple exercise of plugging existing equipment into the network termination device in order to access NBN services.

It is important to note that in some cases, charges may apply for non-standard installations.

NBN Co will contact residents and property owners to explain connection options when the NBN rollout starts in your area.

Every Australian community will have access to high-speed broadband services at affordable prices.

Service providers are now offering NBN services that compare favourably with prices for ADSL2+ broadband services, but deliver superior performance and the option to upgrade to speeds much faster than those available on the copper network.

NBN fibre plans range from $29.95 per month for a 12 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload (12/1 Mbps) service with a 15 GB data allowance to approximately $130 per month for a service with speeds of 100/40 Mbps with a 1000 GB data allowance. Services with speeds of 100/40 Mbps start from $45 per month.

Importantly, there is no additional line rental fee with NBN services as is typically charged by retailers for an ADSL service.

For more information on retail pricing, visit NBN Co’s website to find a service provider.

See also: How much will it cost me?

You can also compare NBN retail plans on independent plan comparison websites such as Whistleout .

NBN Co has released its 2013-16 national fibre rollout plan , showing over 4.8 million homes and businesses where fibre construction is complete, has commenced or is planned by mid-2016.

Don’t worry if you can’t spot your area in the plan yet – NBN Co will be releasing updates to its fibre rollout plan each year and more on its fixed wireless and satellite services, which it expects to complete in 2015, as it becomes available.

In the meantime, eligible rural and regional Australians are benefiting from immediate access to better broadband services through the NBN Interim Satellite Service.

See also: When will I get the NBN?

Australia mostly relies on an ageing copper telecommunications network to connect homes to the internet. As a result, our broadband performance lags behind many of the world’s more advanced countries.

The NBN rollout represents a significant leap in the quality and speed of broadband  access currently available to most Australians, and is part of a comprehensive plan to prepare Australia’s telecommunications infrastructure for the future.

The NBN will provide all users with access to speeds greater than what many people experience on ADSL today, and will offer a more stable and reliable broadband service.

93 per cent of homes and businesses will have access to the NBN through optic fibre to the premises, capable of providing broadband speeds of up to one gigabit per second.

The remaining 7 per cent of premises will have access to next-generation fixed wireless and satellite technologies, providing peak speeds of 12 megabits per second.

These services will be upgraded to provide speeds of 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload from mid-2013 for fixed wireless and from the launch of the long term satellite service in 2015.

See also: NBN technologies

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is a next-generation broadband network designed for Australia’s future needs. It will provide faster, more reliable broadband access to all Australian homes and businesses through a mix of three technologies: optic fibre, fixed wireless and next-generation satellite.

The NBN is also the biggest telecommunications reform in Australia’s history.

It means fairer infrastructure access for service providers, greater retail competition and more choice with services for families and businesses.

Find out more: What is the NBN?

The government has committed to the continued availability of voice-only services for those who need it.

In the future, most fixed-line, voice-only (‘landline’) services will be delivered over the NBN optic fibre network.

In an NBN environment, you will be able to choose a fixed-line phone without taking a broadband internet package. There are already a range of competitive plans available.

Homes and businesses within the optic fibre footprint will be offered a free standard fibre connection regardless of whether they currently have an existing land-line connection.

For a list of NBN service providers visit NBN Co’s website .

Yes. Number porting arrangements will continue to apply.

If you stay with the same telephone provider following migration from the copper network to the NBN, you will be able to keep the same number.

If you need to change providers then the same rules apply as they do today.

In most cases, no. Your current phone will work the way it always has. There will be no need to buy a new phone handset unless you want to.

Telephone services on the NBN work in much the same way as they do on the existing network. There is a voice port on the NBN equipment that sits in your house that an analogue telephone can connect directly into.

There are rare cases where your current phone may not work.  Anything that uses ‘pulse dialling’ (e.g. non-touchtone dialling) will not work over the NBN. This includes old rotary-dial telephones.

Tone dialling was introduced in Australia around 30 years ago, so systems that still use pulse dialling are likely to be quite old.

If you do have a system that uses pulse dialling, contact the manufacturer of the system or a technician authorised to perform maintenance on those systems to see if the system can be upgraded to use tone dialling. You will also need to check with the provider of your telephone service to see whether the communication protocols used by the system will work over the telephone service provided over the NBN.

Alternatively, your internet and telephone service provider may offer you a telephone service that operates over the NBN. In either case you should be able to just get a telephone service for around the same price as today.

Everyone who currently has a standard telephone service will continue to have a standard telephone service if they wish.

Telephone services on the NBN work in much the same way as they do on the existing copper network.  There is a voice port on the NBN equipment that sits in your house that an analogue telephone can connect directly into.

Alternatively your telephone and internet service provider may offer you a telephone service that operates over the NBN broadband connection, but either way you should be able to get just a telephone service if that is all you want.

In NBN optic fibre areas, the current copper network will be progressively disconnected and services must be migrated to the new fibre network to continue working.

This means if you are in an NBN optic fibre area and you would like to continue to have a fixed-line phone connection, you will need to move your phone service to the fibre network by selecting an NBN plan offered by one of the providers operating in your area.  More than 30 providers are already offering services on the NBN.

While you’ll need to pay regular charges to your service provider, as you do today, it doesn’t cost anything for a standard NBN equipment installation.

You may also want to consider a phone service using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology, depending on your requirements.  VoIP technology can be used to provide you with a fixed-line telephone service over broadband.

You should speak to your service provider in the first instance to discuss which service is right for you.  You can also visit NBN Co’s website for a list of NBN service providers.

In NBN fixed wireless and satellite areas you will have the choice to maintain your phone service over the existing copper network or access a voice service over the NBN’s fixed wireless and satellite technologies.
NBN Co will be in contact with all residents and businesses in your area once the NBN rollout reaches your town or suburb.

This will include instructions and information about what action, if any, you will need to take to migrate your phone service to the NBN.