Costs may apply to indecisive NBN users

Australians may have to pay to be connected to the NBN if they change their mind after previously electing not to.

An NBN Co spokesperson told CRN sister BiT yesterday a decision is yet to be made on whether Australians will have to pay to be connected to the NBN if they elected not to have their building connected when the cable was first run down their street.

Yesterday the Government confirmed plans to start connecting buildings to the NBN when the cables are first laid or run overhead in each street. Previously, the street would first be cabled, but a building would only be connected later, if requested.

This raises questions about what happens to users who first elected not to be connected, but later decided to have the NBN cable attached. Current standard NBN installations are free of charge.

An NBN Co spokesperson said if someone elects not to have the connection made to their home while the NBN is being rolled out in the area, but later changes their mind, a charge may apply. 

NBN Co said it was yet to be determined but declined to comment further.

What this means for you

While the new plan means your building will be connected unless you say no, don’t confuse this with meaning you’ll automatically have to start using the NBN.

What the Government and NBN Co are talking about is running the cable from the street to a box on the outside wall of your building – not activating your NBN service.

You won’t have to start using the NBN until you tell an internet provider you want it. Under the new plan, you’ll get the NBN cable put in without having to ask for it.

If you don’t want the NBN connected to your building, you will still have that option. Only now you will have to notify NBN Co.

Keep in mind that for those that say no, there is the possibility that one day they will be left without any fixed line broadband or telephone -  the plan is to disconnect old copper telephone lines 18 months after an area has had fibre optic cable put in (though not in areas where the NBN is being delivered by wireless or satellite).