The Chronicle

Tech no barrier to access

Business owner uses FTTN NBN

- TOBI LOFTUS Tobi.Loftus@thechronic­le.com.au

A TOOWOOMBA businessma­n has praised the National Broadband Network as the service nears the completion of its rollout in the region.

Computer Troublesho­oters Toowoomba West owner Roger Klaassen said he was able to expand his business across the world after he was connected to fibre to the node.

“I’ve been in business quite a few years and have seen the transition from dial up, ADSL and now to NBN... the data streams we get now mean we can work remotely, which wasn’t possible with the old speeds, it’s expanded the business so much,” he said.

“We’ve been able to employ two extra staff since we had the NBN put on because of the extra work we now have.”

At home Mr Klaassen said he had utilised both a FTTN connection and fibre to the premises connection.

“I was a bit worried being in the IT industry that FTTN would be slower, but it was equal to FTTP,” he said.

“We find that now with NBN at home we enjoy a lot more movies.”

The recently released Connecting Australia report, commission­ed by NBN Co, revealed in 2017 there were 100 new self-employed people in Toowoomba last year, a direct result of the NBN and the NBN was expected to lead to the creation of up to 640 new businesses by 2021.

NBN local Queensland head Ryan Williams said 96 per cent of premises in the Toowoomba region could now connect to the network.

“It’s fantastic regional homes can do things their metro cousins have been able to do for so long,” he said.

 ?? Photo: LucyRC Photograph­y ?? NBN: Computer Troublesho­oters West owner Roger Klaassen uses the NBN to remotely fix computers all over the world.
Photo: LucyRC Photograph­y NBN: Computer Troublesho­oters West owner Roger Klaassen uses the NBN to remotely fix computers all over the world.

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