Internet cold cut
Disconnect with NBN rollout
RESIDENTS of growing rural areas have been left without fixed internet connections, some for up to 12 months, as the rollout of the National Broadband Network ramps up.
Bannockburn and Inverleigh families say they have been caught in a web of administrative neglect, while running up expensive mobile internet bills.
Bannockburn resident Stephanie Dunstan said she had been turned down by all providers servicing her growing estate.
“I have been turned down by every provider including iiNet, Dodo, Optus and TPG. Our home is fairly new but our neighbours have ADSL with Telstra,” she said.
Ms Dunstan, a 25-year-old mum of two, said Telstra’s offer of a $70per-month, 20-gigabite wireless internet connection did not meet the needs of her graphic design course.
“Studying with two children is hard enough but having problems with internet makes it more difficult,” she said.
Telstra Geelong Surf Coast region general manager Loretta Willaton said the copper network in Ms Dunstan’s estate had been handed over to the NBN.
But it will be “several months” before the NBN is available at her Maras Lane home.
To help fill the void, Telstra has offered Ms Dunstan wireless or mobile internet.
Ms Dunstan, who is completing her course online, travels 40 minutes to her mum’s place to access a fixed internet connection.
“I’m travelling to my mum’s in Leopold to use the internet but I’m not getting enough study done,” she said.
NBN spokesman Russell Kelly said the rollout of the network was not complete in Bannockburn.
“There is existing network in the area which may require some additional work to connect to Ms Dunstan’s property,” Mr Kelly said.
Meanwhile, the roll out of NBN to more than 2300 homes and businesses in parts of Grovedale and Marshall started earlier his month.
Have you had problems connecting to the internet in your area? Email: chad.vanestrop@news.com.au