The Internet Industry Association has asked me to explore how the NBN rollout is going, and how well the concept of super-fast broadband is understood around Australia. A decade ago I was the IIA Ambassador studying the digital divide and how to overcome the lack of internet connectivity across Australia. Ten years on many of the same issues exist.
I've recently visited some of the initial NBN sites in Armidale and Coffs Harbour, and now I'm in Tasmania for the CSIRO Broadband Society conference next week. While I'm here I'll be interviewing people from all areas of Australian society starting in the NBN first-release sites of Smithton, Scottsdale and Midway Point.
Hope NBN will also create wireless spots, as I personnaly cannot afford 2 internet fees and cannot have cable/fibre connection only.
I think once the NBN is rolled out there will be so much competition among ISPs that they will offer wired and wireless bundles. So you might get access to say Optus 3G and wifi if you’re with them for yur NBN cable connection.