NBN must be flexible enough to meet needs of all Australians, in all living arrangements: Greens

2018-06-26

Tuesday, 26th June 2018

The Senate has passed an Australian Greens motion calling on the government to deliver a fit-for-purpose National Broadband Network that meets the needs of all Australians, including those living in outbuildings and granny flats.

Australian Greens NBN spokesperson Senator Jordon Steele-John said it was important to recognise that increasing population density in our major cities and urban centres would have to be met by greater access to the NBN, not service limitation.

“Different people have different living arrangements and different internet requirements. This is an unprecedented service limitation imposed by NBN Co that has not been an issue with previous technologies, such as ADSL and landline telephone services,” Senator Steele-John said.

“It is not reasonable to expect someone who is renting a granny flat, or even extended family living in separate dwellings at one address, to have to share a single NBN connection. It is completely out-of-touch.

“Given connection to the NBN will eventually be mandatory for users to access the internet in Australia, NBN Co must be flexible to the changing living configurations we are seeing as our urban centres grow.

“The increasing trend towards multiple dwellings per title to accommodate population growth and demand for rental in our major cities and urban centres must be met with improved service accessibility by NBN Co!

“Australians deserve a fit-for-purpose national broadband network to ensure we remain competitive in our increasingly digital world, and that includes the possibility of more than one connection per title!

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield confirmed in correspondence last month only one NBN connection was allowed per 'unique address':

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Tim Oliver – 0448 316 387