NBN Co has launched its Technology Choice Program which provides new options for individuals, local governments and communities who wish to apply for a change to their National Broadband Network (NBN) infrastructure.

It provides an opportunity for eligible applicants to select an alternate technology solution by paying the incremental cost of the change. This policy replaces the previous Network Extension policy which was launched in July 2012.

The current rollout is expected to meet the bandwidth needs of the majority of broadband users. However, if some individuals or communities have specific needs for higher speed broadband, they have an opportunity to move to an alternate technology under this program.

Technology Choice provides two options:

  • Area Switch: enables an application for a whole area (eg a business park, town, CBD, or whole apartment block). Eligible applicants include incorporated associations, bodies corporate, local government authorities and state government bodies. The cost to change technology infrastructure for an Area Switch could range from tens of thousands of dollars to several millions of dollars depending on the size and complexity of the project.
  • Individual Premises Switch: caters for individual or small group of premises in a street. For an Individual Switch the cost could range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Individual premises which share infrastructure in a specific location may be able to share some costs if they apply at the same time. 

Read about the Technology Choice Program and application process.

Download NBN Co’s Technology Choice Program FAQs.

Current rollout

NBN Co’s scheduled construction work up to June 2016 includes the following areas:

Region/town

Estimated total number of premises

Technology

Beerwah

1,300

Wireless*

Maleny

2,300

Wireless*

Maroochydore

13,800

Multi-Technology Mix

Nambour

8,400

Multi-Technology Mix

Nambour

400

Wireless*

Wurtulla

19,800

Multi-Technology Mix

* Parts of the surrounding area to be included in the rollout.

X