July 29th, 2018 | Updated on August 29th, 2018
NBN – The National Broadband Network shows that history repeats itself. In 1872, Australia was commended for its ‘bush telegraph’ initiative, a two-year project meant to connect the country to the rest of the world (and itself) by stringing 3,200 km of wire nationwide.
The Concept
But, unlike the bush telegraph (aimed at overcoming distance), NBN sets out to solve a different pain point: static internet speeds.
Currently, connection speeds typically stay at 64-256 Kbit/s (depending on the chosen payment plan), which is below any slow-usable minimum (industry) standard. As recent as 2013, Australia only ranked 30th for internet speeds and some later date surveys placed it even further down.
Endorsed by the Federal Government (which provides funding), NBN is to solve this issue by completely replacing the old copper phone & broadband network, so as to enable the provision of a fast and reliable connection to the internet.
The project is scheduled for completion by 2020, at which time almost every Australian home and business – including those located in remote rural areas – will connect to the internet only via one of the NBN plans presently available.
Putting the Theory to Work – the Mini Version
Pick the right modem
Different modems foster different connection speeds. However finding the modem that will give you the connection speed you need, can be somewhat of trial and error scenario.
There’s also no guarantee that the standard modem, provided by your ISP, will manage to maximize your connection speed either.
Give this list a look – it covers sync speeds (modem -> NBN network) for 10+ different FTTN modems, so it should be a useful start point for your own research. But first, check your own sync speed; to do so by login to your particular modem, go to “WAN”, then “Status” and onward to “Connection” – that’s it, the necessary value should be here.
There are also a few technical notes to keep in mind: place the modem in an obstruction-free zone/ if possible, avoid positioning it against thick walls or large appliances/ to ensure optimal coverage you should have it placed in the middle of your home or work space, in a slightly elevated position, away from any excessive heat sources.
Consider channel bonding
If you can count on the support of next-door neighbours or friends, having an NBN connection and a wireless network as well, then this option is right up your alley. Once installed, you’ll be able to log to a specific Wi-Fi and ‘bond’ its NBN connection to yours to get up to 150mb internet speeds. It’s a simple hack, but it’ll do the job.
Select the right speed tier
Unless you request an alternative from higher speed tiers, you’ll most probably end up with a plan set at default speeds (25Mbps/5Mbps).
If you’re within 500 metres of an FTTN cabinet (your ISP can help you figure that out) or if you’re not quite sure about your ideal speeds, go for the highest speed tier available and work your way down to what your current needs are.
Final note – Food for Thought
Given Australia’s size and thinly dispersed population (three people/km²), the NBN represents its largest infrastructure project so far.
The total budget mounts up to A$49bn and some 35% of it is to be spent connecting the last 10% of users, wiring far off areas, putting in place the majority of the 2,600 required wireless towers and (the main pocket drainer) launching two communication hardware carrying satellites.
That’s a lot of effort and many resources focused toward staying connected and social, wouldn’t you say?
