Australians stand to benefit from a $3 billion equity investment from the Federal Government in the National Broadband Network to upgrade Fibre to the Node (FTTN) technology. This commitment will be boosted by an $800m NBN Co commitment.
The money will deliver high-quality fibre internet upgrades to over 600,000 Australian homes and businesses – over half located in regional Australia.
ACCAN - Australia’s peak national communications consumer body – welcomed the government’s ongoing investment in the NBN as an important step toward delivering faster and more reliable internet connectivity nationwide.
ACCAN CEO Carol Bennett said, “This investment brings us closer to completing the important task of ensuring more than 95% of remaining homes and business have access to high quality NBN full fibre technology.”
“It ensures that more Australians have the technology to meet their growing data needs and have access to the economic and productivity benefits of high-speed, reliable connectivity.”
“We expect this investment to provide real improvements to the quality of life of Australians across the country and help level the playing field for businesses and households in regional areas”, Ms Bennett said.
“The Government and NBN Co must now ensure that NBN connectivity remains cost effective for consumers, especially vulnerable consumers.
“We welcome the government’s focus on the affordability of communications services. To further support Australia’s most vulnerable citizens, we encourage the implementation of a concessional broadband service, ensuring they can access and maintain essential connectivity.”
ACCAN will continue to advocate for the interests of consumers through an ongoing review of NBN expenditure, for which we received additional funding late last year.
About us:
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) is Australia’s peak communication consumer organisation. The operation of ACCAN is made possible by funding provided by the Commonwealth of Australia under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997. This funding is recovered from charges on telecommunications carriers.
Contact details:
Alec Bennetts
Mobile: 0409 966 931
Email: media@accan.org.au
