Fibre investment unlocks proposal to turbo-charge speeds on the NBN
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 05 March 2024
The Albanese Government is committed to delivering a better NBN for Australians and welcomes NBN Co’s proposal to provide highly accelerated speeds for households and small businesses.
Under the proposal, NBN’s three highest speed tiers would see download speeds boosted by up to 5 times at no extra wholesale cost, with the 100/20 NBN product turbo-charged to 500/50 Mbps.
Subject to industry consultation and readiness, these speeds would be made available in around 12 months’ time. Based on NBN Co’s well-progressed fibre upgrade program, eligibility will be open to an estimated 9.1 million homes and businesses by December 2024, and up to 10.2 million eligible premises – about 90% of NBN Co’s fixed line network – by December 2025.
The Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion to expand full-fibre NBN access to an additional 1.5 million premises – including 660,000 in rural and regional communities.
The Government expects NBN to plan for current and future needs to maximise the capability of the network and improve the lives of Australians.
Faster more reliable full fibre connections are already delivering productivity benefits for Australian consumers and businesses, with NBN users saving over 100 hours and $2,580 per year from avoided travel time and costs, working from home and undertaking tasks online.
These increased speeds will allow consumers and small businesses to download a 10GB file within 5 minutes rather than waiting for up to 17 minutes, experience smoother video conferencing and gaming, as well as more reliable connectivity.
The average household is now consuming over 440 gigabytes per month, up from 30 gigabytes before the NBN was established, and this is expected to at least double again by the end of the decade.
This proposed acceleration is an example of how the Albanese Government is delivering a better NBN for households and businesses around Australia.
Industry consultation on the proposal closes on 19 April 2024. Find out more about the NBN at www.nbnco.com.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“Reliable, quality, high-speed internet is not a luxury or nice-to-have: it is essential 21st century infrastructure.
“Through our substantial investment in the NBN, the Albanese Government is delivering faster and more reliable broadband to homes and businesses across Australia.
“NBN Co’s proposal is consistent with the Albanese Labor Government’s objectives and will deliver turbo-charged speeds that would deliver significant benefits for businesses and households alike.
“The Government expects nbn to consult closely with its retail partners and work with them to enable these speed enhancements to be available for consumers as soon as practical.”