NBN Issues? How the Right Consulting Firm Can Help. Encountering NBN issues? Are your in-house employees unable to sort them out? If you answer yes to both, here’s how the right consulting firm can help.
Faster is not always easier. At least, not at first.
The new national broadband network (NBN) that is designed to speed up internet connections and make life more convenient for users is no exception. The goal is to allow access to higher-speed internet for almost everyone in Australia, but it’s not without its user issues.
Creating the NBN is a valiant goal that sure didn’t come cheap. In fact, it weighs in at an estimated $51 billion, making it the biggest project of its kind on the continent. But like any infrastructure project, there can be things that go wrong, and you might not always have the in-house expertise to deal with it.
But with the right support behind you, you can tackle NBN issues like a pro. Let’s take a closer look at the network and why having a consulting firm that specializes in it can be beneficial.
What Exactly is the NBN Network?
This project was born in 2009. More accurately, the company that handled the creation of the network, called NBN Co, was founded that year. The project has allowed plans of up to around 100 Mbps to connected Australian households, while also replacing ageing copper infrastructure.
The new network is made up of a mix of technologies depending on the area it is constructed. Some will be fixed wireless connections, while others will operate on fibre cables or copper wiring that already exists. The Multi-Technology Mix (MTM) outlines which technologies are being used to complete the project, while also optimizing the use of existing technology.
The NBN is sold wholesale to ISPs, who then pass along these services to the end-user. The plan is to complete the rollout of this new infrastructure by 2020, but you can check the timeline based on the address of your home or business.
Q: Is The NBN Connection Mandatory?
A: Having a plan to connect to the NBN is important, as once it’s in place in your area, your existing internet and phone connections will be shut off. Well, to be fair, you’ll have 18 months to make the switch once it’s announced that your region will receive the infrastructure upgrade.
A survey in 2017 found that most people either didn’t know the switch was mandatory or planned to make the switch long after the time limit. If you don’t take action, you might be left in the dark or lose connectivity with clients.
Q: What are some of the NBN Issues so Far?
A: There are a variety of reported issues based on user feedback. For example, some users don’t know who to contact when it comes to performance issues. It’s also proven to be difficult to find out accurate broadband speed information to know how fast it should be to begin with.
Depending on the length of the wire, there has been reported dropoff speeds (the longer it is, the slower it gets.) There’s also a congestion issue with the wireless connections due to oversubscription. Satellite connections have also been subject to limited data allowances.
Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) requires the right modem when being used across FTTN. However, using incompatible modems has caused service to be blocked, forcing the user to contact their ISP to unlock it. Further to that, if your modem isn’t compatible, it’s tough to find information about which ones are compliant. That’s where an outside expert can come in handy.
Q: Will I Need a New Phone System to Use NBN?
A: The short answer to this is no. Many big providers may lead you to believe that you need a completely new system to access your existing phone network. The truth is a provider can help you easily make the switch to the NBN without even having to give up your current phone number.
Switching over doesn’t mean you’ll lose any voice quality, and you’ll be able to keep all of the features you already had (and possibly get more.) Private Branch Exchange (PBX) hosting is also available for your system to link all of your company’s phones (including those off-site) into one network.
Q: Who Needs an NBN Phone System?
A: In short, almost everyone. Startups can reap the benefits early by installing an NBN system, but it’s also ideal for established businesses and those who need to scale in a hurry.
It’s also ideal for companies with multiple sites, as calls can be made between them for no additional cost.
Q: How Can a Consulting Firm Help with NBN Problems?
A: Using VoIP phone services requires you to have the right modem to use it. It’s possible to have in-house employees that are already technically skilled in this area configure it, but fixing issues will take away from their productivity (and yours.)
Having the right consulting firm means having an expert that can help you make the switch without experiencing any downtime. The right firm should be able to do a complete audit of all of your existing services and hardware to ensure they move to the NBN without hassles.
Not only can the right firm help you make the transition, but it should also stick around for ongoing maintenance and troubleshooting. In fact, maintenance of the PBX system falls on the service provider’s shoulders.
Don’t Fear the NBN
It might be a bit messy in its rollout, but the NBN promises to improve connectivity for millions of Australians. In fact, by early 2017 there were about 5 million homes and businesses that were ready to receive the service (although less than half of that number were using it then.)
Instead of running from this technology, you should embrace it (and to be honest, you don’t really have much of a choice.) If you don’t have the in-house know-how and run into NBN issues, there are plenty of resources to help make for smoother sailing.
To find out how we can help you port your existing phone services to NBN, contact us today.
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