Andrew Sims, iPrimus General Manager of Marketing and Products said “Our goal is to ensure customers have a seamless transition when they make the switch to a Primus Fibre to the Home service and enjoy the superior customer service we provide from our 100% Australian based call centre.”

These customers were connected in addition to the customers already connected to iPrimus on the NBN Tasmania network in Smithton, Scottsdale and Midway Point.

iPrimus customer, Lucas Bediaga of Brunswick, a a keen gamer noted that the faster speeds make a big difference to his gaming experience. He had the following to say:

“The game quality doesn’t deteriorate even when my brothers and I are playing on different computers in the house at the same time,” he says.

Lucas’ mum, Victoria Vincent, has also been impressed with the connection speeds.

“I immediately noticed how much quicker and easier it is to Skype friends in Sydney and family in England. I’ll definitely be keeping in touch with them more regularly,” she says.

iPrimus connects customers in all NBN first release sites is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

In addition, the iiNet Bob Squad can also help customers connect devices to an iiNet Broadband Service such as PC’s, Consoles, Smart TV’s, Phones, Tablets and other internet connected devices.

The service is charged at $99.00 for the first hour of the call out, and $45 for each hour thereafter.

The Bob Squad service is a nice feature for those not so technically savvy, though still enjoy gadgets and having the latest and greatest in technology.

iiNet are expected to launch the Bob Squad service for business customers in 2012.

iiNet’s BoB modem can be purchased in conjunction with any of iiNet Broadband Plans.

iiNet’s Bob Squad is on the move, to the east coast is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

Some 485,000 premises will benefit from this initial announcement, though not immediately as NBNCo have noted that design and construction of the network will start within the 12-month time frame, with no real indication on when these areas will be ready for commercial service.

Each state, with the exceptions of ACT and NT get roughly the same amount of premises scheduled.  NBNCo revealed that a number of premises in some areas are either ready for service or work is underway to enable services to be offered. NBNCo expect that it will take 12-months from the start of the roll out in any given area until customers will be able to purchases Fibre to the Home services through an RSP.

Are you one of the lucky ones? Here’s a list of the following locations that are in NBNCo’s 12-month roll out plan:

* = new location no previously announced

Australian Capital Territory

• Gungahlin

New South Wales

• Armidale
• Blacktown*
• Coffs  Harbour
• Dapto  *
• Gosford*
• Jamberoo
• Kiama
• Lidcombe*
• Long  Jetty*
• Penrith*
• Richmond*
• Riverstone
• Sawtell*
• Strathfield  (Homebush)*
• Wollongong  *

Northern Territory

• Casuarina
• Darwin*

Queensland

• Aspley
• Goodna
• Nudgee*
• Toowoomba
• Townsville
• Townsville  City

South Australia

• Aldinga  Beach*
• Modbury
• Port  Augusta*
• Port  Elliot*
• Prospect
• Seaford  / McLaren Vale
• Stirling*
• Strathalbyn*
• Yankalilla*
• Willunga

Tasmania

• Deloraine
• George Town
• South Hobart
• Kingston  Beach
• Launceston*
• Midway  Point
• Scottsdale
• Smithton
• Somerset*
• Sorell
• St  Helens
• Triabunna

Victoria

• Bacchus  Marsh
• Ballarat  Central*
• Brunswick
• Melbourne  City*
• Melton*
• South  Morang
• Tullamarine*

Western Australia

• Applecross*
• Geraldton
• Mandurah
• Meadow  Springs*
• Pinjarra*
• South  Perth*
• Victoria  Park

NBNCo have stated the 12-month schedule will be updated on a quarterly basis, which might suggest they revise the schedule if they encounter delays in the roll out. If you’re in one of these areas, stay tuned to compare Fibre to the Home and NBN broadband plans, or in the meantime, check out what other broadband plans are on offer.

NBN 12-month rollout plan announced – is your suburb or town covered? is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

Australia’s average broadband speed was rated at a lowly 348KBps, though this could be heavily influenced by the high number of Broadband services in Australia which are still connected at speeds between 256kbps and 512kbps. For most Australian broadband subscribers, these speeds are much lower than what most customers achieve now, and a world away from what they’ll see when the National Broadband Network (NBN) gets rolled out across Australia.

Depending on what speeds you receive right now, you might think that the average is way off the mark, while others might not be surprised, including those limited in broadband options due to cable lengths, RIM’s and other nasties that exist in the Australian telecommunications landscape. If you haven’t had any issue with these, thank yourself lucky!

What’s your Broadband Speed come in at? Check your speed with our broadband speed test.

Australia’s average Broadband Speed is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

What makes NBN better than existing broadband connections?

The majority of homes in Australia connect to broadband via an ADSL connection that comes through the phone line. Phone lines in the country run on a network of copper cables, and these cables do not have the capability to handle video service. Broadband received through the NBN will not be via a copper network, but instead by a network of fibre optic cables. These cables are created from incredibly thin glass, or occasionally plastic, that can carry light from one source to another due to its reflective properties.

Expect to see a staggering improvement, as a connection through a fibre optic network could be as much as 50 to 100 times faster than the broadband that you currently enjoy at home.

Will the NBN cost me more?

You would think that such a faster broadband connection would cost more money, but in fact the opposite is true. This is because the NBN is a government initiative, and will therefore be charged on a public service basis. In other words, you won’t be paying prices marked up by broadband providers.

Is the whole of Australia going to have access?

Current estimates for coverage suggest that 93% of the population will have a direct connection to NBN within their homes. The other 7% will be provided with a wireless option, as this 7% of people live in areas too rural for the fibre optic cables to reach. Although it would be technically possible to receive similar speeds wirelessly compared with a direct cable connection, due to restrictions within the radio spectrum this is not a possibility for every household.

How long will it take to receive faster broadband?

Replacing the copper network of the entire country will understandably take some time. Early estimates suggest that the entire process could take approximately eight years, so it may take some time for you to benefit, particularly if you live in a rural area. The roll-out will be a gradual process though, so if you live in the pioneer state of Tasmania, for example, you could expect to see a vast improvement to your broadband connection sooner rather than later.

As the old copper phone network will no longer be required in order to allow people to connect to broadband internet, phone exchanges will also gradually be turned off. There are also plans to move all of the phone service to the same fibre optic network within 2021.

What do you need to do?

Absolutely nothing! All that you need to do to receive high speed home broadband access is to sit tight and wait until the fibre optic installation reaches your own neighbourhood.

Everything You Need to Know About the National Broadband Network is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

What is broadband?

First things first, let’s consider what broadband actually is. Broadband internet is used by millions of people across Australia and is a means to transport data at a very high speed. A simply analogy of a broadband internet connection is that of a busy road. Imagine a narrow road with a lot of traffic; there will inevitably be traffic jams as many cars try to fit through the narrow gap at one time. This narrow road represents narrowband internet or dial-up as it is better known.

Now instead picture a freeway with many lanes for the traffic. Suddenly the speed can increase because more cars can travel on the road at any one time. Although traffic jams can still occur, they happen more rarely than if the same amount of traffic were to try to fit on a one lane track. The freeway in our analogy represents a broadband internet connection, as more information can be carried at any one time. You may have heard of the bandwidth of a broadband connection; this bandwidth represents how much information can be carried or, if you like, how many lanes the freeway has.

How does broadband work?

There are several different types of broadband internet connection, so let’s consider how each of the most popular methods work:

• ADSL broadband. Do you have a telephone line connected to your house? If so, you are the perfect candidate for an ADSL broadband connection, as this type of connection uses pre-existing phone lines in order to carry the information. All that you need to do, when signed up to a broadband package, is plug a modem into your phone line along with a microfilter that allows you access to the telephone and the internet at the same time.
• Cable broadband. Another option when it comes to connecting to the World Wide Web is known as cable broadband. Cable broadband is typically faster than ADSL, because the cables used to carry information are made of a fibre-optic material, instead of the traditional copper wiring suitable for a phone signal. Telephone and television signals can also be transmitted via a fibre-optic network, allowing you to combine your services.
• Mobile broadband. If internet on the move is important to you then mobile broadband could help. Mobile broadband allows you to access the internet by using the same network that is used to make calls on a mobile phone. The 3G mobile phone network is constantly improving due to the increasing popularity of this particular method of accessing broadband internet.

How Does Broadband Internet Actually Work? is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

With just a little research and by following this step by step guide to switching your home broadband, you could soon be paying less money for a better service.

Step one – Check your contract

It is important to know whether you signed up for a contract of a fixed length when you first registered for broadband with your company. Some companies will automatically place you back into a twelve month (or longer) contract when yours expires, so you must check the information that you were originally provided with to see if you are able to switch. If you can’t find out if you are signed up for a certain length of time why not give your internet service provider a quick call? Remember that you may be able to get out of a contract early, but it will usually cost you money.

Step two – Find a great deal

Use deal comparison websites, the websites of the internet providers themselves and any review websites that you can find until you find the very best deal for you. If you are changing from a current provider, keep your eyes peeled for the following:

• Does this new deal provide faster download speeds than the company that you are currently with?
• Is the price cheaper for the same service?
• How much will you be able to download in comparison with what you can download now?
• Will dealing with the customer service team of the new company be a more pleasant experience than with your current provider?

With just a bit of research you will soon have narrowed your search down to the best deal.

Step three – Contact your current provider

Unfortunately the job of contacting your current provider must usually be done over the phone, so it is important to be confident and firm during your phone call. You need to ask your current provider for your MAC code, this stands for Migration Authorisation Code and contains all of the details regarding your current internet connection that your new provider will need. When you ask for the code, expect your current provider to try to keep you. They may offer a new and improved deal, so be firm if you are sure that you wish to change to a new internet provider. It can take anything from a few days to a couple of weeks to receive your MAC code, so don’t cancel your contract just yet.

Step four – Sign up to your new deal

Once you have received your MAC number you will be ready to sign up to the new deal that you have discovered. Depending on the provider and the connection type, they may be able to supply your connection immediately or within a few days. When you know that your new internet connection will be supplied, feel free to cancel your existing subscription to start to enjoy the internet as it should be.

How to Switch Your Home Broadband to a Better Deal is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

Step one – Shop around

There are many different home broadband providers around today that could enable you to connect to the internet. From Optus to Dodo, iiNet to Netspace, you are likely to have heard of some of the options available to you, but who can provide you with the best deal? Without considering the different options you will be unable to make your decision well, so check out the websites of the different providers, and a price comparison website that will show you the best deals out there.

Just looking around won’t help you much though, if you don’t know what you are looking for.

Step two – What to look for

As you consider the different contracts that the different broadband providers could offer you, you should keep the following in mind to help you to find the very best deal for your unique needs:

• Cost. Different plans differ wildly in price based on the connection that they provide, freebies included and the download limit. The most expensive deal won’t necessarily be the best for you, but neither will the cheapest necessarily provide you with everything you need. Consider your monthly budget before signing on any dotted lines.
• Connection speed. The speed of your connection will affect how quickly you are able to load websites, download music and find the information that you need through a search engine. The more speed you desire, the more your connection will cost you so consider how fast you really need your broadband to be.
• Download limit. Some home broadband deals will offer an unlimited download limit, allowing you access to as much music or as many movies as your heart desires. Expect to pay more for a higher download limit, so if you don’t download much don’t pay for a limit that you won’t use.
• Contract length. The days of 12 month contracts seem to have vanished as companies start to favour 18 or even 24 month deals. While these deals can certainly offer a cheaper monthly payment, remember that if you wish to change provider you may find it difficult when signed up to such a long lasting contract.
• Freebies. Do you need a wireless router or a phone to chat to friends and family through the internet? Most home broadband deals will throw in some form of router or other freebie. Ensure the products advertised are items that you need to avoid paying for something that you will never use.

Step three – Sign up

After performing your research you will hopefully have found a great home broadband deal for you and your nearest and dearest. Signing up is simple; just register with the appropriate website online or give them a quick phone call and they will give you clear instructions as to what to do next.

How to Choose the Best Home Broadband Package is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

It is estimated that the digital download industry will continue to grow massively within the next few years, causing further damage to video stores that are already struggling against competition from websites that will posts DVDs to your doorstep. In the last few weeks some large chain video stores have been forced to shut their doors for good, such as the Blockbuster outlets in Ashfield and Enmore.

We won’t see the back of all of our favourite video stores overnight, but as internet downloads are increasing in popularity almost daily, it seems that the shutting of more and more DVD rental shops is inevitable.

As the broadband network within Australia continues to improve, meaning continually faster downloads, video rental stores will have to pull something out of the bag in order to compete. Having already lost a lot of business due to DVD-rental vending machines such as Oovie, and websites like Quickflix that provide a subscription service for the renting of movies, the introduction of the Australian national broadband network looks like it could be the final nail in the coffin for traditional rental stores.

However, the high street certainly won’t go down without a fight, with many stores already thinking of innovative ways in which they can survive against the broadband revolution. Some stores are offering an online reservation service, in which a user can browse the stock online, reserve a title and simply pick it up later that day. This instant selection service could be tempting for anyone still struggling with a relatively slow broadband connection.

This online reservation system could be a win-win scenario for many high street video rental companies, as it allows for smaller premises due to not being forced to have all titles on display. Likewise, it still benefits those customers that may desire the personal touch in choosing their movies.

From specialising in niche markets, to offering an online service at the same time, it seems that those DVD rental shops willing to update their stores and offer an innovative solution to the public could still survive. Although we spend more time these days surfing the web and watching YouTube than sitting down to a movie on DVD, it seems there is still a place in our hearts for curling up on the sofa with some popcorn and a great film.

TV Downloads Could Destroy Video Stores is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison

Let’s take the example of a small hotel that can be found on Google Maps. The hotel is relatively new, and doesn’t have any feedback yet from clients that have taken advantage of its facilities. Instead, the first review to appear is distinctly negative, informing all other users that a better hotel exists on the other side of the town. This review was created by the rival hotel in an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the new business and, as far as any of the general public knows, could be genuine.

Likewise, there is little to no protection in place for your own name or the name of your organisation. Any other individual could use your name falsely to spam negative reviews of other companies, eventually effecting your own reputation in your niche market.

While Google insists that it has software in place designed to detect spam and false reviews, it seems to be largely ineffective against reviews that genuinely seem real but are designed to lower the credibility of a company or individual. It is possible to mark a review as spam on most websites, but many have claimed that they received no response from this action. With the only other potential route to removing spam reviews being expensive legal action, this could leave you at a loss.

Fortunately many review websites are now aware of the issue, and are starting to take steps to stop false reviews from circulating and damaging businesses all over the globe. Clever new algorithms will filter review posts in order to identify if many of a similar type have come from one computer, or if the information within simply does not line up to the business being reviewed. Some review websites offer more credibility to a review that offers more information, pushing those false testimonials that simply include a sentence or two slating the company to the bottom of the pile.

The technology to prevent review websites from being used inappropriately is still very much in development. This may not be great news to you if you yourself have suffered from attacks from a rival company or a dissatisfied employee, but consumers and businesses alike should be happy to hear that work is being conducted to ensure that all information to be found on such review websites is accurate and up to date.

Websites Determined to Tackle False Reviews is a post from: Broadband Hub - Home Broadband Comparison