Homes and businesses in parts of Toowoomba have less than one month to arrange to switch their landline phone and internet services over to the National Broadband Network (NBN) before most existing landline phone and internet services in those areas are replaced with services over the NBN.
For the first time in South-East Queensland, services over the NBN are scheduled to replace most existing landline phone and internet services in parts of Toowoomba from 28 August 2014.*
President of Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce, Andrew Wielandt had previously drawn attention that many businesses were still oblivious to the fact that they could be left without the most basic of telephone communication as of August 29th. “Frankly, I and the business community have found the whole process underwhelming, to say the least. Toowoomba has been an unwitting guinea pig in the rollout process,” Mr Wielandt said. “Everyone equates the NBN to just high speed broadband. It is not! It is also telephony services and I believe NBN Co have done a poor job in presenting this message.”
In an effort to create a better bridge between business and NBN Co, Ryan Williams (left) and Andrew Wielandt (right) have met at Workwear Discounts, one of the first businesses to be connected to the fibre network in Toowoomba.
Workwear Discounts owner Bernie Baz says his NBN connection through iiNet has significantly enhanced the way he does business. “Once over initial teething problems the fast and reliable internet connection has improved the online experience for our customers, allowing us to create and maintain individual web stores for our major corporate clients, Mr Baz said. “We were recently able to turn around an online order for 3,000 custom embroidered garments and deliver them within four business days – this would have been impossible prior to our NBN connection. It has also allowed us to explore flexible working opportunities. We currently have a staff member effectively working from Berlin using a handset which he took with him from the store” (Pictured above-Bernie Baz shows Andrew Wielandt his NBN handset).
Hear Bernie Baz speaking with Toowoomba Regional Radio’s Gordon Patterson:
Ryan Williams from NBN Co stated “The move to the NBN is not automatic. Residents and businesses who want to keep using their existing landline phone and internet services must place an order for services over the NBN with their preferred phone company or internet service provider as soon as possible. As long as an order has been received before 28 August 2014, their services should not be disrupted. We are particularly urging people with special equipment including EFTPOS terminals and medical and security alarms which operate using a landline phone connection to check with their preferred service provider about moving these services across to the NBN.
You can find out whether you are in the switchover area or eligible to connect to the NBN as well as more information about the steps you need to take to make the switch by visiting nbnco.com.au/switch.
Mr Williams said NBN Co is continuing to engage with the Toowoomba community at events including:
- Information stall at the Seniors Information Expo on 20 August – http://cotaqld.org.au/event/seniors-information-expo/
- Chief Customer Officer John Simon presenting at the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce’s Business@Breakfast event on 22 August – http://www.toowoombachamber.com.au/event/business-at-breakfast-17/
