NBN unable to deliver
I HAVE been an IT manager for the last 15- odd years so I have extensive experience in network design and use.
I recently attended a review panel in Townsville discussing telecommunications in rural areas. At this meeting, I spoke about my frustrations with the delivery of fixed wireless NBN and the simple fact that the service is simply not as advertised and is incapable of delivering the speeds I was paying extra for.
At the review, NBN had a representative present and he promised to look into the issues that I raised. I finally heard back from Ryan Williams.
In summary, his email proves my exact point – the delivery system ( fixed wireless) is simply not fit for purpose as it cannot even deliver what we in my community need now, let alone for the next few years. This system should be scrapped and fibre rolled out instead. Will this cost more? Of course it will, but we are not second- class citizens and deserve access to the internet that is matched with what people can access in the cities ( less than 30km away).
The internet has now become a basic service to Australians. In this regard it is no different than power, it is akin to a basic human need. We require reliable access just to function in a modern world.
I have complained to everyone, used every avenue available to me except one, and that is one that I simply cannot afford. Legal action. What is happening is wrong. I have been sold a service that simply cannot be delivered to me. In NBN’s own admission they cannot provide me what I am paying for. I assume that the current technology is so flawed, that a reliable service cannot be delivered to anyone using fixed wireless. Therefore, it is not as described and it is not fit for service. These two points alone show a clear breach of the Australian Consumer Guarantee.
It seems that it is OK for NBN to over- advertise ( super- fast, reliable internet access) and yet under- deliver. It also seems that this trait is acceptable by our own government. The simple fact that a government- run organisation cannot deliver what they have advertised is beyond unacceptable.
As the base infrastructure cannot deliver service, it does not matter which retail service provider is commissioned to re- sell access. Every RSP is also in breach of the Australian Consumer Guarantee because the base infrastructure cannot deliver what is promised.
In summary, advice from NBN is that my speeds will not be fixed … EVER. As a result, I am expected to pay extra for a service ( more than people on fixed- line connections) that cannot even stream Netflix at night. So much for an $ 80 billion network.
NBN has also confirmed that there is NO speed guarantee for a fixed wireless service as the network design cannot deliver consistent speeds as the technology is flawed and not fit for purpose.
I remember back to when we were a country that gave everyone a “fair go” but this type of business model seems to only support infrastructure being delivered that they can make money out of, and not to deliver basic services to Australians.
I have all the evidence that the service is clearly not as advertised and is simply not being delivered, but no one seems to care. We in rural settings in Australia are at crisis state with the lack of a delivery of a reliable internet service.
When we pay more and do not get what is promised, it is time we all stand up. Enough is enough, NBN. SIMON WELLS,
Bluewater.