Thanks to a major update, Australians looking forward to being connected to the nbn™ network can now expect greater clarity on when their premises will be made ready for service.

Newly released improvements to the address checker function on the nbn™ website mean that most Australian homes and businesses will now be able to access better information on the rollout in their area. 

The update provides the most accurate view of when the nbn™ network will be available as well as what technology will be used at any given time.

The website now also allows nearly every Australian to find out when they will be contact their preferred phone and internet retailer for help with connecting to services over the nbn™ network. 

What you can discover

For example, a resident or business owner on Homebush Road in the Sydney suburb of Strathfield could enter their details into the address checker and find out that the nbn™ network is already available in their area.

Similarly, those who live on Somerville Road in Melbourne’s Brooklyn can see that construction of the nbn™ network is under way in their area as of Feb 2017, with work due to be completed shortly.

They can proceed to view a list of phone and internet providers in their area and contact them to discuss their move to  services over the nbn™ network. 

Someone in the Sydney location of Macpherson Street, Warriewood could discover when they will be able to contact their preferred retailer to connect to a service. This will help them to plan ahead for the transition to the nbn™ network. 

Should information not be currently available, home or business owners can enter their details to have updates about Australia's new broadband network delivered via email. 

Connected home numbers increase

The updated address checker function coincides with the news that one in three Australian homes are now ready for service on the nbn™ network.

The network will be half way complete by mid-year 2017, three quarters built by the following year, and complete by 2020.

According to nbn Chief Customer Officer, John Simon, “The number one question we get asked is ‘When am I getting the nbn?’ Today’s update to our website provides the answer to that very question.”

“On average, we are making the network available to around 60,000 new homes and businesses each week, so it stands to reason that there is growing interest in when the network will be available across the country.” says Mr Simon. 

“With this in mind, we have moved away from telling people when we'll be in their neighbourhood to when they can contact their retailer to buy a service. The change means we can better meet the interests of our retail service provider customers as well as the Australian homes and businesses which will benefit from access to fast broadband services powered by the nbn™ network.”

Connecting Australians

Mr Simon explains,“We have been working hard to provide as much clarity as possible on the rollout for the majority of Australians, but as is the nature of this business, people need to be prepared for change."

"It’s not until we are in the streets that we have a clear view of the technology available to individual homes, so there are times where a different solution is determined to be better than that which was planned. The sheer size and complexity of the network build means there will always be a need for flexibility on our technology choice and service availability dates."

“nbn relies on address information from external sources that are outside of our control which means we do discover the odd exception within our database containing around 12 million locations. We will continue to update our website as more information becomes available.”

To find out more about the nbn™ network rollout and providers in your area, visit the address checker or check your address below.