Australians react to NBN rollout in limbo

Australians promised superfast broadband with the NBN have reacted with anger after News Corp revealed the list of Australian suburbs still waiting to be connected.

Australians have unleashed their fury on the National Broadband Network after documents showed thousands of households and businesses are still waiting to be connected.

An exclusive News Corp Australia report today revealed more than 120 Australian suburbs are still in NBN limbo, with the company behind the $51 billion infrastructure project unable to reveal when it will be ready to deliver broadband in the areas.

And the towns in question are not beyond the black stump — many are in our capital cities.

Furious readers from across Australia ripped into the NBN, complaining about everything from slow speeds to connection delays.

Readers have fumed over the installation of the NBN installers in their suburbs.

“I recently moved house. Went from Cable internet at 70mbps to NBN at 40mbps … this whole thing us (sic) a joke,” Herald Sun reader Ian wrote.

Michael, a Victorian, says the government should be held accountable: “This is a complete failure of both Labor & Liberal Governments. Terrible advise originally given to the Rudd/Gillard Govt that set unrealistic time frames & costs. And completely unfair price structures were (sic) I pay the same price for my 20mbps fibre to the node & Fibre to the premises get 80-100 mbps for the same price. Should not have to pay the same price for fibre to the node. Ripped Off!!”

Among nearly 100 comments on the Adelaide Advertiser’s report, one angry customer described it at “the biggest waste ever”.

“We had NBN installed over six months ago with unexpected problems and technicians that seemed uninformed and detached. We’ve noticed no improvement in net speed and ultimately had to spend hundreds on a smart modem and additional cordless phones,” Lou wrote.

Readers are frustrated by the rollout and speed of the NBN.

“It’s highly frustrating all around for negative service and performance change. We were better off under the old system. They should’ve left sleeping dogs lie and saved all the costs, dramas, hassles.”

Another hit out at huge installation delays.

“We got a letter saying we would be getting NBN here in Magill in December 2015,” Robyn wrote.

“An NBN box was attached to our house in May this year. We have now been told that it will be at least June 2020 before NBN will be brought down our street.”

Many said the connection failed to improve on ADSL2+ speeds, and monthly costs were expensive.

SEE THE LIST OF ADELAIDE SUBURBS IN LIMBO

“My connection is slower than my previous ADSL2 one, costs more per month and probably ended up costing $300 to get it switched over,” Rob said.

Chris warned: “Stay on ADSL for as long as you can”.

There was a similar reaction from Courier Mail readers in Queensland.

“NBN is run by the “Zorgons” from “Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy”!!!

Been on both sides of NBN as a customer and as a developer installing NBN!!

Trying to connect a house (we paid for the NBN lines to be installed as a developer).

SEE THE LIST OF MELBOURNE SUBURBS STUCK IN LIMBO

“We can’t connect you to the NBN we will have to get the Developer Liaison to contact you in 10-14 days”, 3 months later nothing. Like I said ZORGON’s,” said Mark.

Michelle, from Queensland, said: “NBN is apparently available where I live (got the note in the mail) but not being in a capital city, it is wireless NBN and we don’t have enough signal so ADSL it is.”

Daily Telegraph readers also did not shy away from venting their displeasure about the troubled fibre network.

“It cost me $600 to sign up for a new build, and they have delayed the date twice,” Mark wrote on Facebook.

SEE THE LIST OF BRISBANE SUBURBS IN LIMBO

“It is now over 6 months late and not expected till Feb of 2020. And they refuse to give the money back if we cancel!

“So don’t pay these idiots till it’s at your door.”

Others attacked the government’s decision to kill off the original Fibre To The Premises plan and instead replace it with mixed technologies.

“If they had stayed with the original FTTP NBN, everyone would have been connected and we would have had a proper NBN,” Ian said.

SEE THE LIST OF SYDNEY SUBURBS IN LIMBO

“Instead, we have an NBN that is slower than originally planned, will cost more than originally planned, and now will NOT be delivered sooner than originally planned.”

Those who weren’t yet connected were not missing out on anything, some wrote.

“It’s as slow as snails. ADSL is faster and cheaper. We’ve been sold a dud,” Jonno wrote.

“NBN is a crap service my broadband was better nothing but drop outs and slow internet it was that bad we had to spend $200 for a router to get a better signal,” Sarah said.

An NBN Co spokesman told News Corp: “The areas in question refer to locations undergoing works as part of our existing HFC optimisation program to improve customer experience on the nbn access network.

“A default dummy date is currently being used to indicate these areas are part of this program and, therefore, are not to be disconnected prior to these locations going through the allotted 18-month migration window.

“These areas will be progressively released to market over the next 10 months, with disconnection dates to be updated on a weekly basis once optimisation works are completed.

“Existing telephone and broadband services will remain in place until optimisation works are completed and residents can order a retail service over the NBN access network.”

Originally published as Australians react to NBN rollout in limbo