What to do about the NBN
20 Nov 2018
It’s coming – whether we like it or not. But what do you have to do about getting connected to the National Broadband Network (NBN)?
The NBN is coming whether we like it or not. And depending on who you talk to, it’s either the brave new world of the internet, or going to be slower that what you already have. It can be confusing, but you are going to have to make some choices when it’s your area’s turn to switch over to the NBN.
But, quickly, let’s look at what the NBN really means. The National Broadband Network is a nationwide rollout of fast and reliable internet connection. At least, that’s the theory. However, with a tech rollout of this size, there are always a few bugs. The NBN is upgrading internet services across the country, and if you’re in the city it’s likely you’ve received a notice about your NBN access already.
Do I have to change to the NBN?
Yes. You can put off making the choice until the very last minute, but you’ll have to change eventually. The whole country is moving to the NBN and if you don’t change with it you’ll lose your internet service.
How will I know it’s time to change?
Generally, you’ll get a letter from the NBN telling you when it’s available in your area. You’ll then have time, generally 12-18 months, to change over from your current infrastructure – phone line or cable – to the NBN network.
What will it cost?
The theory is that it should cost much the same as your current provider, but there will be other options. You’ll need to pay your internet provider a monthly fee, but there may be some set-up costs associated with changing over to the NBN.
The three things governing your monthly cost are: speed, data and who you decide to go with.
The plans can be very confusing, so be clear on how much data you use. This depends on whether you watch a lot of video content or really just use the internet for browsing and checking email. As for how fast you need the internet to be, ask what speed you have now and you’ll get an idea of what you need. And as for who you use, internet providers all offer much the same service. It can be tempting to stick with big guys like Telstra and Optus, but if you look at some of the smaller providers you’ll find that they have some discounted rates.
What about my home phone?
If you still use a home phone you can “bundle” that along with your internet plan. Check to see if local or international calls are included as part of your plan or if they are extra – or you may get a surprise come bill time.
The main thing is that you can’t just ignore the NBN mail-outs. They are a prompt to start a conversation with your current provider, or to check the offers of a new provider, and make sure you stay connected to the internet.
It’s more important than ever for seniors to stay connected. If you have any queries or concerns, you can always check out the government’s very own Be Connected service that aims to help answer your internet questions.
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