Townsville – NBN Brainstorming Session

WHAT IS NBN?

NBN is high speed internet delivered by fibre optic cables and/or wireless methodology. Homes and businesses will have a connection box installed where you can connect computers, telephones and other devices.

“The old dial-up system was like a one-lane dirt track, where when traffic came from both directions, one lane had to pull over. Current ADSL Broadband technology that is used today is like a 4 lane highway, where there is 3 lanes for downloads and one lane for uploads making traffic run smoother and faster but still limited. The NBN that is coming in the next few years can be likened to a multi-lane freeway where there are multiple lanes of upload and multiple lanes download, relieving congestion and increasing speeds dramatically.” Peter Read, NQ Small Business Development Centre

“In future, the internet will be treated as a utility, similar to electricity and water.”

WHAT SPEEDS WILL I GET?

Comparing speeds:-

Contact the NQ Small Business Development Centre, Townsville, if you would like to ‘test-drive’ the super-fast internet connection to get a feel for the speeds likely to be provided by NBN.

You can test your current speed at http://www.speedtest.net/ .

DO WE REALLY NEED THE NBN?

As more and more technology relies on internet speed, it is important that Australians have access to good quality, high-speed internet to keep pace with the rest of the world. If you think we are doing fine without the faster internet speeds, just look at where Australia ranks against other countries in the world:-

(http://www.netindex.com/download/allcountries/)

Average Household Download Speeds:-
1. South Korea 31.99 Mbps
2. Lithuania 30.43 Mbps
3. Andorra 24.27 Mbps
4. Romania 23.98 Mbps
5. Latvia 23.92 Mbps
6. Netherlands 23.41 Mbps
7. Sweden 23.22 Mbps
8. Switzerland 19.66 Mbps
9. Bulgaria 19.02 Mbps
10. Republic of Moldova 18.33 Mbps
……..
42. Australia 8.13 Mbps

Average Household Upload Speed:-
Australia is 89th on the global index with an upload speed of 1.14Mpbs

WHAT’S IT GOING TO COST ME?

(http://accan.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=269&Itemid=325 )

CONNECTION

You will not need to re-cable your home. NBN Co will provide a free connection to the network inside your home. You will only have to pay for additional outlets around the home, if you want them, and to provide access to a mains power socket.

NBN.gov.au published that a basic service of 12Mbps download and 1Mbps upload will cost your service provider $24 per month. However, you will have to purchase your connect from a RSP, like iiNet. http://www.iinet.net.au/nbn/ is advertising internet only NBN plans from $59.95 per month for 50GB+50GB at a maximum of 25Mbps download and 5Mbps upload.

EQUIPMENT

You will receive a free “NBN Box” and a power supply with battery back-up. The NBN Box will have 2 phone ports and 4 data ports.

To network the connection to other computers and devices in your home, you can use “Ethernet-over-powerline’ gadgets or wireless router. If your existing wireless router is “wireless N” or “802.11n”, it may be compatible with the NBN system. These can be purchased for between $80 and $300.

Your regular telephone handset will continue to work on the NBN Box; however, if you have a back-to-base security system you should discuss compatibility with your provider.

Just one major benefit of super-fast internet will be video conferencing. You can purchase a good quality web camera for less than $100 and an external microphone for less than $30.

For more information:- http://accan.org.au/files/NBN_A_Guide_for_Consumers_FINAL.pdf

WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO NBN?

Maps of NBN Roll-out Areas in Townsville:-

Stage 1

http://www.nbnco.com.au/assets/maps/townsville-fsam.jpg
Brochure for residents of Stage 1 – http://www.nbnco.com.au/assets/documents/nbnco-brochure-aitkenvale-mundingburra.pdf

Stage 2

The only map of Stage 2 I could find is in a PDF – http://www.nbnco.com.au/assets/maps/nbnco-maps-second-release-sites.pdf map on page 5 (subject to change).

It will be cheaper and more convenient in the long run if you opt to connect with the initial roll-out.

There may be external issues that will affect the maximum speed you will receive through your NBN connection depending on things like distance and equipment.

HOW WILL NBN BENEFIT ME / MY BUSINESS?

Some benefits:-
Tele-working – Work from home – Save money on travel, uniforms, etc
Entertainment – Stream videos; download music; play online games – Save money
Business – Extend your target market – send and receive larger files – Increase sales
Internet Phone / Video Conferencing – Contact with family, colleagues and clients – Save money on telephone and travel costs
Education – Access online training; attend online seminars – Save money on travel, cost of delivery of training;
Health – Access medical professionals via video conferencing – Save money on travel; reduce time spent in hospitals;

Websites I used to research this information were:-

http://www.nbnco.com.au/
http://www.nbn.gov.au/
http://accan.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=263&Itemid=319