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Residents quoted $10k for NBN upgrade their neighbours will get for
free
(HTM) Source
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Angry residents say they'll have to pay nearly $10,000 to access the
National Broadband Network's (NBN) new fibre-rollout, despite their
next door neighbours getting it for free.
The rollout has been called "unfair" and "ridiculous", with a Federal
MP calling for a review, after confirmation pockets of Australia have
been left off the grid.
Ash, a resident at Glenmore Park in Sydney's west, called the scenario
"absolutely crazy".
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Ash, a resident at Glenmore Park in Sydney's west, called the scenario
"absolutely crazy". (Nine)
The IT specialist, who regularly works from home, said he went online
to sign up and got a quote for nearly $10,000.
"That's what NBN wants me to pay to provide fibre to my house when
it's available three houses away," he said.
Another resident, Leon, who lives less than 20 meters from the
connection node, also has to pay despite neighbours behind and next to
his house qualifying for free.
"We're not living in the outback, we're not living in a third world
country," he said.
Leon lives less than 20 meters from the connection node but also has
to pay, despite neighbours qualifying for free. (Nine)
The NBN told a recent Senate Estimates that it was "uneconomical" to
provide access to all Australians, a decision that came down to "the
pit and pipe infrastructure that's available".
In the first half of this year, NBN, interim chief executive Philip
Knox also revealed the national broadband provider had a revenue of
$2.75 billion - up five per cent on last year.
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The NBN told a recent Senate Estimates that it was "uneconomical" to
provide fibre access to all Australians. (Nine)
"Getting told they've got to pay $10,000 to a company that is making
profits, I don't think that is going to sit very well," Penrith MP
Melissa McIntosh said.
"There's so many people across Western Sydney doing it so tough right
now in this cost of living crisis.
"The people of Glenmore Park are not asking for a handout, they're
just asking for a decision by the NBN to be fair and balanced."
Penrith MP Melissa McIntosh said residents were simply asking for the
NBN "to be fair and balanced". (Nine)
In a statement, the NBN said cost was one of a range of factors in
deciding who got free access.
"This approach enables NBN to deliver fibre upgrades to as many homes
as possible," a spokesperson said.
The NBN's new fibre upgrade aims to deliver internet speeds and
reliability that Australia hasn't seen before.
**FULL NBN STATEMENT**
_Locations which are eligible for a free fibre upgrade are based on a
range of factors, including cost._
_This approach enables nbn to deliver fibre upgrades to as many homes
as possible._
_While most homes in our fixed line footprint will be eligible for a
fibre upgrade, there are some locations, such as small parts of
Glenmore Park, that are not included in the upgrade footprint at this
time._
_Customers can type in their home address on our website homepage_
_www.nbn.com.au_ _to check if their address is eligible for a free
fibre upgrade and to register for future upgrade notifications._
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