The NBN Cut-Off Is Looming And Thousands Could Be Without Internet If They Don't Switch By 2017

Millions of Australian households could find themselves without internet access over the coming years, as the NBN cut-off rapidly approaches.

According to research from finder.com.au, reported by the SMH, only a quarter of all Aussie households are aware of the consequences of not switching over to the National Broadband Network in the coming months.

The cut-off date varies across the nation, but 447 suburbs will need to make the transition in the first half of 2017. This will affect 348,627 homes across the country (though mostly those in new South Wales, Victoria and Queensland).

Approximately 3.5 million Australian homes and business can active NBN-based broadband right now, but only 44 per cent of eligible users have done so.

Users have 18 months to migrate to the NBN once it's been made available in their area, forcing them to abandon traditional copper and cable services. After 18 months, those older modes of internet connection will be totally severed. (Here's a list of what's going to be affected.)

"There's no two ways about it, if you're living or working in a premises that is declared NBN-ready then you have 18 months to subscribe to an NBN plan,” finder.com.au telco editor Alex Kidman told the SMH.

“Otherwise your phone line and internet will be disconnected, which could be a disaster if you're running a business.”

Even if you don’t have NBN access just yet, it’s important to consider that looming deadline. For instance, people signing up for 24-month ADSL plans (which rely on copper phone lines) might be stuck with a lacklustre deal. Better to go month-to-month if the NBN is nearing your suburb.

(Kidman believes most telcos will let you swap over to an NBN plan without breaking contract, but you may not be getting the best value, as you won’t have the option of shopping around.)

The NBN is scheduled to be available to all Australian homes and businesses by 2020.

The rollout of high-speed broadband is being conducted via the hybrid-copper/fibre to the node model. This involves running fibre to a single neighbourhood pillar, and having the pre-existing copper network connect that node to individual homes.

Initially, the network planned to run ‘fibre to the premises’; however, the NBN instead settled on what the SMH calls a “potentially slower” option.

You can find out if the NBN is in your area with the help of this “rollout map”.

Photo: Channel 4