Making sure the NBN delivers on expectations

Regardless of how the NBN is rolled out - FTTH or FTTN - having the NBN delivering super-fast broadband to Australian homes doesn’t guarantee an improved internet experience. That’s because the NBN infrastructure is only part of the picture, albeit the biggest.

The last 10-odd metres from the NBN box (NTD) to PCs, smart TVs, IP security cameras, etc that’s often overlooked plays a pivotal role in the user’s experience. With the wrong infrastructure inside the house, broadband could drop to a trickle beyond the NTD. Further exacerbating the dilemma, over a million security and health-alarmed homes are at risk of malfunctioning if existing alarms aren’t correctly interfaced with the NBN.

That’s about to change, because Australia’s cabling registrars, of which BICSI is one, have collectively developed www.registeredcablers.com.au - a website providing guidance for industry and consumers to get it right so that the NBN delivers on expectations, right up to the devices:

• What to do when the NBN is installed to an existing home;
• How to cost-effectively prepare a new home or renovation for reliable broadband delivery;
• What technology options are available to consumers and what are their pros and cons;
• How and where to find qualified cablers; and
• How cablers can promote themselves to local communities to show that they’re qualified and available to provide infrastructure beyond the NTD.

The primary goal of this initiative is to educate consumers and industry on getting the NBN right, all the way up to the device, not just to the home. It’s a collaborative development by the cabling registrars that administer compliance to the Cabling Provider Rules for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), in association with the International Copper Association Australia.

Cablers can find the facts on broadband reticulation and detailed information on the technologies they can offer consumers. With the appropriate qualifications, they will also be able to register their availability to be contacted by consumers seeking their services to make homes ‘NBN-ready’.

NBN Co has no involvement in what consumers do ‘downstream’ of the NTD. www.registeredcablers.com.au is a ‘destination’ that NBN Co directs consumers to, to obtain factual, non-commercial and unbiased guidance on making their home ‘NBN-ready’. NBN Co Call Centres are referring enquiries about infrastructure beyond the NTD to www.registeredcablers.com.au.

ISPs provide content to consumers and typically don’t have the resources to provide individualised broadband reticulation in consumers’ homes. While a few ISP/RSPs may elect to undertake this service, most ISP/RSPs will be happier to direct their customers and prospective customers to www.registeredcablers.com.au. Several of the major ISP/RSPs have already endorsed the website and will refer its customers to it.

www.bicsi.com.au