The demand for fast broadband within Australia’s business sector is high with around 20,000 businesses a month migrating across to the nbn™ broadband access network.

With 40 per cent of Australian small to medium-sized businesses seeking help from an information and communications technology (ICT) professional before migrating to the nbn™ access network, we recently launched the nbn™ ICT Channel Program to support ICT consultants and businesses that are helping their business customers to connect.

And the great news is the program is already proving to be a success. Just ask Leo Iribarren.

Meet Leo Iribarren, nbn™ ICT Channel Program graduate

For more than 20 years, since the very early days of the internet, Iribarren has worked in IT.

In addition to 12 years with technology giant Intel, he also worked on the ticketing system for the extremely successful 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. In 2013, he launched his own business, Northern Beaches IT Services (NBITS), after he noticed the need in many small businesses for professional IT help.

“I started the business because I saw the opportunity in the market to bring the expertise and methodology of the big corporates into the small business space,” says Iribarren.

“I sent the first invoice, and it’s just been customer after customer ever since based on referrals.”

Over time, NBITS’ focus has narrowed to helping businesses with their digital transformations, which Iribarren believes has become very important.

“It’s a big deal when you talk about a digital transformation. Obviously, you’re moving everything to the cloud. But to do that, first, you need a ‘fat pipe’; such as the nbn™ access network.

“Second, you need to have the right infrastructure and software. The nbn™ access network supports changes to business processes and business models. It helps enable a business to take it to the next level.”

With this understanding, Iribarren was excited when he came across the nbn™ ICT Channel Program.

“When I heard about the nbn™ ICT Channel Program, I saw it as a perfect opportunity to jump on board and help the uptake of the nbn™ access network. I had been trying to figure out, ‘How can I get involved with this massive infrastructure project?’

“The nbn™ ICT Channel Program is the perfect pathway. It provides the right information and the right tools. You’re not guessing. You’re not thinking, ‘I read this on the website and I think this is what’s happening.’ You know exactly what is happening. There is also support when you need to design a specific service. And there’s always someone a phone call away if you have some questions.”

Importantly, Iribarren was full of praise when asked what he thought of the way the nbn™ ICT Channel Program was put together and run by NBN Co.

“The process of joining the nbn™ ICT Channel Program is really well established. It’s very professional and you have a clear path evolving you through the process to getting accredited. Having the training program online allows you to go through it anywhere, anytime, at your own pace. Plus, it allows you to play back as many times as you like.”

Helping ICT businesses to get to the next level

There’s no doubt in Iribarren’s mind that the nbn™ ICT Channel Program has supplied a big boost to NBITS. That’s because it’s not just about migrating a business across to the nbn™ access network. Iribarren reveals that accreditation through the program has opened up broader business opportunities for his company.

“Jumping to the nbn™ access network is not just having a fat pipe – you really need to take advantage of that pipe by reengineering your infrastructure. It also allows you to move into cloud-based solutions and, at the same time, that fat pipe opens up opportunity for security risks.

“So, when you’re talking about ‘nbn™ transformation’, it includes infrastructure, software, application, architecture and security – there’s so much involved. It’s a great opportunity for us.”

Adds Iribarren, “I recommend the nbn™ ICT Channel Program 100 per cent. It’s given us a competitive advantage in the industry and made my brand a lot more trustworthy.”

Now an nbn™ accredited adviser, Iribarren gets to continue doing what he does best, only better.

“I love being able to do my own thing, in my own way. It’s rewarding when you make something work. I get calls from customers in a panic; I spend a few hours with them, and then it works.

“I also get to be part of many teams, so I’ve got a big family. I have a lot of friends. I’ve developed a lot of relationships. Plus, I’m a bit of a geek, so it’s great getting hands-on with new hardware and technology.

“Now I can focus on solving problems for small businesses, making IT work and creating new solutions to enable a business to get to the next level, [so they can] be more productive, reduce costs and be competitive.”