Govt releases assurance policy for migration to NBN

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news The government has released a Migration Assurance Policy (MAP) that sets out its plans to limit disruption during the switch-over to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

As the NBN rolls out across Australia, Telstra’s fixed line network will be compulsorily switched off 18 months after the national network is activated in the region.

To date, 154 regions have passed their compulsory disconnection date, meaning over 300,000 premises have had to make the switch for their phone and broadband services. Throughout 2016 alone, the number of regions reaching their disconnection date is expected to triple.

For users, the transfer to the NBN will involve the installation of new equipment, increased broadband speeds and, ideally, a predictable, smooth migration to the new system.

The MAP statement outlines a number of assurance principles and sets out expectations concerning the roles and responsibilities of service providers to ensure the migration process is predictable and straightforward for consumers.

A smooth migration process will be increasingly essential in coming years as the NBN rollout quickly expands. The network’s three-year plan for the rollout will expand to include more than nine million homes and businesses across the country by the end of 2018.

This new policy is the result of “extensive collaboration” between the Australian Government, NBN Co and Telstra, and is informed by feedback from stakeholders, industry and public submissions on the draft framework, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said in a statement.

The MAP sets out the importance of “consistent and accurate” information and data sharing between parties to make connecting to the fibre NBN a trouble-free process.

The policy lists four main “pillars” which support the successful switchover from Telstra’s copper and HFC networks to the NBN fixed-line network:

  • Serviceability – to ensure a working service is available at the premise when an order is placed. Previously, around 30% of premises declared ready to connect were not actually serviceable as the physical network had not been connected. This figure is now less than 5% due to the NBN’s new processes to ensure more end users are ready to connect when areas go live. Any remaining unserviceable premises are considered for bespoke construction solutions.
  • Product availability – a suitable product range to meet consumer needs.
  • End-user awareness and management – the need for consistent and timely information and support for households and businesses.
  • Installation and activation – the timely completion of orders for an nbn service.

The MAP, the government said, resolves its legacy of early rollout areas that were plagued by problems including network shortfalls, which caused extended waiting times for connections; ordering system errors; and inconsistent data, which led to missed appointments and occasional unexpected disconnections.

Other early problems that are being addressed include inappropriate equipment placement, accuracy of information from installers, and general consumer understanding about the nbn installation process, according to the statement.

The policy and framework are planned to be updated as needed over time, including addressing any additional issues as they arise.

Image credit: NBN company

9 COMMENTS

  1. Product availability – a suitable product range to meet consumer needs.

    ISP – sorry we can only offer you 12 or 25mbps as the quality and/or length limits you to those options.

    • ISP’s are happily charging for 100Mb plans as they’re ‘up to’ etc. Its the users who are figuring their actual speed and picking a plan below it (based of the forums posts I’m reading) to save them overspending on what they cannot get.

      • I remember reading a senate estimates with NBN claiming there where going to supply isp the means to know what speeds a customer can get. I think it was around the same time where there was talking of NBN charging for speeds it couldn’t deliver.

  2. The second pillar is already a massive fail – I want to sign up for 1 gigabit thanks, sorry you can only have 25mbps. What a stupid friggin policy and just what you would expect from the LNP.

  3. I wonder, is satellite nbn considered a ‘suitable product range’ because their will be screams from many, like me, if we are forced off high quality ADSL2 onto NBN satellites.

    • This has already been answered. The answer is yes. Raw connection speed is all that is considered; latency, upload or other factors be damned.

    • Unlike in fibre and ‘node areas, (with some exceptions) Telstra aren’t obliged to disconnect their copper services in areas that are satellite or fixed wireless, so you’ll be able to keep your ADSL. How long Telstra and other ISPs will be willing to continue to provide ADSL services in these areas though is a different problem.

  4. I would like an answer specific to these satellite situations. Please provide links. If the answer really is ‘yes’ in a context in which it is clear and vivid this is going to occur then expect the rural constituents and pollies to start campaigning hard on this issue. In my town, of some 700 people, I would estimate it is about 30% Telstra mobile Internet, 40% ADSL and 30% interim NBN satellite. After many years of satellite internet most residents consider it a distinctly inferior product and a few months of the new NBN satellite aren’t going to turn that perception around. People will want to keep their adsl2, and indeed I am advising them that it is their best option for the foreseeable future.

  5. Thanks Gavin R, I didn’t think it was pitchfork time for us country folk yet. It seems that time may come but if the two NBN satellites get overloaded as predicted hopefully NBN co and the Government will see the good sense in keeping copper in these areas (by more Telstra subsidies I guess) until eventually the fibre replaces the entire network. Stardate 2040 would be my guess, for when I will see this first upgrade since my adsl2 arrived, which was in 2012. A long time between upgrades. How useable will the internet be on adsl2 in ten years…

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