When Mike Taylor made the switch to the National Broadband Network (NBN) in 2016, he thought he would be surfing the net with speed in no time; but he is yet to be connected.
The Cedar Grove resident signed up to the NBN in September and said he is still waiting to receive a clear answer – contacting Telstra, Wright MP Scott Buchholz’s office and NBN Co Limited – as to why it does not work five months on.
“I run a business from home and have a lot of difficulty connecting to the internet, let alone sending documents when I need to,” he said.
“Just like the other day – I intentionally woke up at 3am just to send a few emails to a client I have in Alice Springs and I’m surprised it actually went through.
“I tried to send a similar email again the next day and the internet clonked out.
“I had to make my way into Jimboomba, to use the internet in town, with my documents on a USB stick.”
NBN Co Limited confirmed about 3300 premises – in areas including Cedar Vale, Woodhill, Cedar Grove, South Maclean and Jimboomba – were “switched on” to the NBN FTTN network mid-2016.
However, while these suburbs were classed as active, 20 per cent of the coverage area is still unable to place an NBN order.
“(This) means 700 or so premises (out of the 3300) are classified as ‘un-serviceable’ while further work is undertaken to make sure we can meet the minimum 25/5MBps capability that NBN is obligated to deliver across the network,” an NBN Co Limited’s Jill Bottrall said.
“If we were to make services available now to those 20 per cent of un-serviceable properties, they would not meet the standards set out to NBN in the Statement of Expectations that we must deliver.
“We’re working on various solutions to connect those premises, and it’s important to be clear that classifying premises as un-serviceable does not mean they will never be able to order a service.”
Stuart Gardam, who lives a few streets away from Mr Taylor’s property on Deltoro Road, said he would like an “honest answer” as to when the NBN would be available to residents in Cedar Grove.
The retiree signed to upgrade his service as soon as he saw the installation of the NBN on his street, and is yet to hear of an accurate start date from Telstra, NBN Co Limited and Wright MP Scott Buchholz’s office.
“They’re all completely useless,” Mr Gardam said.
“They keep you on hold and have you running around in circles, chasing an answer as to when the NBN will be available, and I haven’t had anything positive come from Scott Buchholz office.
“They don’t return your calls and don’t give you an exact answer. I won’t be voting for him next time.”
In response, information provided from Wright MP Scott Buchholz’s office stated 23,006 homes and business in the electorate of Wright were ready for service; however, of those, only 8310 had an active NBN connection.
Construction is also underway for an additional 25,790 premises in the electorate of Wright.
“The NBN Co forecasts that by the end of September 2018 about 40,050 homes and business in Wright will either be ready for service or under construction.
“The NBN Co is on track to complete the roll out across the nation by 2020, and at that time everyone on the continent will be able to connect to the NBN.
“I encourage residents who are having issues with their NBN to phone the free NBN hotline on 1800 687 626 or liaise directly with their service provider.
“Residents who want to express their concerns about federal issues are welcome to contact me at scott.buchholz.mp@aph.gov.au or by phoning the office on 5541 0150.”
NBN Co Limited’s Ms Bottrall further added the network expects “some premises” on Deltoro Road to be given access to NBN by the end of March; however, was yet to confirm an estimated time of completion.
