NBN Co have released its 2021 Corporate Plan which details a $6 billion investment plan for the network along with a stated desire to partner more closely with communities, industry and all levels of governments to achieve nbn’s purpose: to lift the digital capability of Australia.
The Corporate Plan also details an important initiative to help Australian businesses digitally transform by making it easier and more affordable to connect to business grade fibre.
The $6 billion investment that includes:
- $3.5 billion to make NBN Co’s highest wholesale speed tiers available, as demand arises, to about 75 per cent of homes and businesses on the fixed-line network by 2023.
- $1.5 billionof operational investments in fixed wireless and satellite networks and an expansion of fixed-line networks in regional areas to:
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- connect more than 300,000 new premises;
- extend some of COVID-19 relief measures in FY21, and
- IT simplification that will reduce costs for NBN Co and internet retailers with the aim of improving customer experience.
- Up to $700 million to support the digitisation of small and medium businesses by making NBN Co’s business-grade fibre services more accessible and affordable to more businesses.
- $300 million to establish a dedicated fund from which NBN Co can co-invest with governments or local councils to continue to improve broadband services for Australia’s rural and regional communities.
With the COVID-19 pandemic increasing national demand for higher speed broadband services, NBN Co has decided to bring forward its next planned phase of network investment, rather than waiting until the Company achieves its goal of becoming cashflow positive in FY2024.
The intention is to deliver higher speed broadband services and greater capacity to millions of customers living and working in premises across Australia.
Additionally, the investment incorporates the nbn™ Business Fibre Initiative which will help accelerate economic growth in the post-pandemic world, supporting regional and metropolitan businesses with close to gigabit-capable fibre, to be more productive and create jobs.
NBN Co has announced that both Port Lincoln and Whyalla are now Business Fibre Zones, eligible to access premium business grade fibre and CBD zone pricing for business nbn™ Enterprise Ethernet.
The maps of those zones can be found here: Port Lincoln and Whyalla
To help ensure the coverage of CBD zone pricing keeps pace with the geographic expansion of business, including areas currently serviced by Fixed Wireless or Satellite, the initiative includes a $50 million co-investment fund with local Councils and State Governments to invest in additional nbn™ Business Fibre areas.
COVID-19 has hit business and the economy hard, however NBN Co have also seen businesses across the economy embrace digital technologies in new ways to keep connected with employees and customers. NBN Co are also seeing more businesses access the benefits of cloud-based tools which supports business innovation, productivity and growth.
For more information: NBN Co