Lake Macquarie Businesses to Benefit from High Speed Internet, 24 Times Faster than National Average

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

More businesses in Lake Macquarie are set to benefit from the roll out the the 'Fibre City' initiative, bringing internet with download speeds up to 24 times faster than the national average to the area.

Last year Australia fell to 68th place in average internet speeds (41.7 megabytes per second) across the world despite the roll-out of the National Broadband Network.

Lake Macquarie Council has partnered with TPG to install the network which will deliver internet with download speeds of up to 1 gigabyte per second.

The Council's Chief information officer, Alexis Hill says speeds this fast are already available in Charlestown's business precinct and installation is already underway in Cardiff's Industrial estate stretching to Boolaroo along Munibung Road, with the Council set to expand the network.

"It means more businesses will be able to connect to a new infrastructure which is uncontested. It will be really fast and reliable," she says.

"We're hoping the first phase will be delivered by the 30th of June this year so that will mean the network is available to start the new financial year."

Ms Hill says many businesses in Lake Macquarie have reported feeling "let down" by the current networks reliability.

"Considering the current COVID-19 situation it's really important they have reliable and fast speed internet connection and through feedback, we know it's not at the level they require to do what they need."

Ms Hill says plans are being considered to expand the network to residents in the future and further increase speed.

"This is the first phase of the project, and this is really to support the local business community but we're looking at different phases and the best areas of opportunity, trying to make sure the network is available to as many people in our community as possible."

Chief Information Officer Alexis Hill on Munibung Road

Investigations into Novocastrian's NBN internet speeds

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Whether it's through a big internet company, or a small one, many Novocastrians are still having problems with the NBN network and internet speed.

Newcastle was one of the first places on the mainland to be connected to the network with the majority of suburbs hooked up.

Internet speed is the primary concern when it comes to the NBN network, and now the federal government is funding the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to install, in lamens terms, little black boxes to record internet speeds of homes from different providers throughout the day.

"Even though 20 people may have the NBN, it's not actually the same thing. Each internet provider can have a better highway onto the internet connected to the NBN and so we want to find out, and the ACCC want to expose transparently, by publishing each month which internet providers are faster than the others," said technology commentator Trevor Long.

Newcastle are in the middle of internet speed problems caused by delays in getting the NBN connected, confirming whether or not you're actually connected and everyone trying to jump online all at once.

Trevor Long says Newcastle are being hit hard with problems but we should "come through them in the next six moths pretty quickly, then we'll simply be asking the question why is my internet fast or slow and which internet provider is responsible," which is where the ACCC data will be crucial. 

The information will also assist consumers in comparing and shopping around, and checking they actually receive what they're paying for.

"The technology mix doesn't matter to the average Joe, they just want better internet and that is what the NBN will deliver. We've just got to get past all the politics and get it installed. So there'll be a couple more years of this back and forth debating until we've all got it, but after that I guess we'll all be asking how we get it faster," said Trevor Long.

Residents still without the NBN

BY JESSICA ROUSE and GEORGIA LUPTON

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson is calling on the NBNCo to explain why some homes in Rutherford and Aberglassyn have been left out of the NBN rollout. 

The suburb went live on the network six months ago, but 150 homes were left out, and they want to know why.

Residents were urged to contact NBNCo directly to get accurate and individualised information, however when they did, they didn't get any of the answers they wanted.

Ms Swanson's office has been flooded with residents telling her they aren't getting the answers they need and they don't understand why.

Ms Swanson says in this technological age, it is ridiculous some residents have been left behind, while those in other areas strive ahead.

"You've got people who are trying to run small businesses from home, you've got students, kids going back to school hoping they'll get the NBN so they'll be able to download their homework and upload stuff they need to send back to school and they just can't do it. it's hopeless."

MP: NBN Rollout "a disaster" for Small Business

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Small business across the Hunter are at risk of failing because of the National Broadband Network’s rollout, says Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon.

Joel Fitzgibbon

It comes after four businesses in Morisset were left without phone or Internet services for weeks after being switched from their old network to the NBN.

“Not only are we seeing an inferior NBN service rolled out, but the transition is hopeless,” said Fitzgibbon.

“For a small business to be without a telephone service for weeks is a disaster.”

Labor have been critical of the Coalition Government’s NBN scheme, suggesting it is inferior and outdated as soon as it's switched on.

A strong small business sector was one of the talking points for the NBN, begun by Malcolm Turnbull in his capacity as Communications Minister and continued when he succeeded Tony Abbott for the top job.

But Joel Fitzgibbon said it only hurts them.

“Small businesses are going without telephone and Internet services literally for weeks.  That’s a disaster,” he said.

“The Government needs to apologise; to intervene and to sort these problems out.”

Jason Miles is one of the small business owners put out by the NBN.  He told the Lakes Mail it's severely hampered his business.

"I reckon we're running at about 10 per cent of what I'm used to.  Where I might usually get 100 people coming through the door per day, I'm down to 10.  Maximum," he said.

"The big problem is people don't have a choice to switch their landline over to the new system," Joel Fitzgibbon said.