Check your modem: millions to get free broadband boost
More than 2.7 million households and businesses will unlock a free broadband speed boost in the coming days in a move experts are calling one of the biggest changes to the industry in years.
But not all homes will be eligible to receive faster downloads and many more may miss out on their full benefit due to outdated equipment.
NBN Co will launch its internet upgrade program, Accelerate Great, today for homes connected to the network using fibre-to-the-premises and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) technology.
Free upgrade
The free upgrade program will boost download and upload speeds for customers on three broadband plans, affecting about 2.77 million users.
Customers on 100 megabits per second plans will see their download speeds raised to 500mbps, 250mbps plans will lift to 750mbps downloads, while upload speeds will double to 100mbps on the fastest plans.
NBN Co will also launch a two gigabit per second download plan as part of the program, chief executive Ellie Sweeney said, in a bid to boost Australia’s internet use.
Chief executive of NBN Co Ellie Sweeney (AAP Image/Dominic Giannini)
“We take great pride in delivering a reliable, high-speed and high-capacity network to Australians and it is our investment in the network that is enabling us to Accelerate Great, as we say,” she said.
Most Australian households are connected to 50mbps broadband plans, however, and would have to upgrade to receive the additional speed.
The speed boosts will be delivered to eligible customers automatically, Vodafone fixed line products general manager Andy O’Connor said, and will be a significant change for broadband users.
Australia currently ranks 63rd in the world for fixed broadband speeds, according to the Speedtest Global Index, with an average download of 92mbps.
NBN Co will also launch a two gigabit per second download plan as part of the program, chief executive Ellie Sweeney said, in a bid to boost Australia’s internet use.
“We take great pride in delivering a reliable, high-speed and high-capacity network to Australians and it is our investment in the network that is enabling us to Accelerate Great, as we say,” she said.
