‘Diabolical’ NBN delays

MORE than 126,000 households and businesses are stuck with slow download speeds over the National Broadband Network while others are still waiting for engineering work to allow them to connect at all. The details emerged two months after the NBN’s June 30 deadline, and despite assurances that the “initial build” of the network was complete.

In response to a Senate question, NBN Co revealed 139,963 properties were still unable to receive the legislated minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second over copper connections in May.

But an NBN Co spokesman said 14,000 premises from that group had received a speed boost or new connection over the past four months to meet the minimum standard.

The internet speed target was first set by then communications minister Malcolm Turnbull and added to laws governing the NBN this May, with the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment also mandating a peak upload speed of five megabits.

But tens of thousands of users are still unable to access these internet speeds due to problems including lengthy copper connections, line faults, bad wiring, and “coexistence” with older ADSL technology.

Retiree Greg Murray, from Lisarow on NSW’s Central Coast, said he had been fighting to get an NBN connection to his home for more than a year after discovering the planned connection would not meet speed requirements and would not go ahead. “I joke with everyone around here that I will be the last man in Australia to be connected to the NBN,” Mr Murray said. “It’s been nothing other than diabolical.”

When the NBN moved into his suburb, Mr Murray’s ADSL connection dropped to speeds slower than one megabit per second with 20 dropouts a day, he said, making it difficult to even receive an email message.

An NBN Co spokesman said construction in his area meant his home was due “to be made ready to connect in September”. It was also working to increase download speeds for affected customers. .