Connecting to the NBN

MORE than 2,400 premises in Scone, 550 in Murrurundi and 1,000 in Aberdeen are now connected to the national broadband network (NBN).

Mariam Chizari, New South Wales community affairs for the NBN presented an update last week at a Country Women’s Association luncheon about how to connect to the new service and warned about NBN scams.

“When a premise is made ready for service, NBN will notify you by direct mail,” she explained.

“Once this happens you have 18 months to switch to the NBN network,” she said.

“We are aware that some retail service providers are aggressively marketing to the community to get them to sign on earlier, but once an area becomes ready for an NBN service, it has 18 months to transition across to the NBN.

“The NBN continues to make residents and businesses aware of this by sending up to eight pieces of correspondence to premises prior to disconnection, including registered mail five weeks prior to their disconnection date,” Mariam Chizari said.

However, Ms Chizari also explained there would be no switch-off date for existing landline and ADSL services, the switch off only applies to fixed line services in areas connected to fixed wireless and satellite NBN services.

“There are times when the NBN may contact a resident directly as part of the network roll-out but this will never be to sell you a service,” said Ms Chizari.

“If you get an unsolicited call like this, it’s a big red flag that you’re dealing with a scammer and you should call the police,” she said.

The audience was also keen to understand how medical alarms would function after the introduction of the NBN.

“We have a national medical alarm register and you should register your details with us by phoning 1800 227 300, so we can identify where extra advice and support might be needed during your household’s transition to the NBN,” she said.

“Letters will be sent to all homes and businesses the NBN is aware of with information about medical alarms,” she said.

Ms Chizari advised medical alarm users should call their medical alarm, autodialler or emergency call button provider for advice and to see if they are eligible to access the Medical Alarm Subsidy Scheme.

“The scheme is to support monitored medical alarms that comply with the relevant Australian Standard and help people transition to the NBN, generally through replacing their existing Australian Standard AS4607 compliant monitored medical alarm with a new unit that do not rely solely on a fixed-line connection,” Mariam Chizari said.