This week, Australia's fifth and final National Broadband Network (NBN) first release site was launched by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Senator Penny Wong.
The site, located in Willunga, South Australia, joins the other four sites in Townsville (QLD), Brunswick (VIC), Kiama Downs/Minnamurra and Armidale (NSW) that will soon see the benefits of high-speed broadband access.
While many businesses across Australia have already embraced some form of teleworking, for many users, particularly those based in rural areas, high-speed Internet access has been a key barrier to enjoying richer video and web applications. The NBN rollout is removing this obstacle, meaning more Australians will now be able to enjoy the benefits of a telework lifestyle; increasing their workplace flexibility, allowing them to better balance their work and family lives, and giving people living in regional areas greater employment opportunities.
The demand for advanced broadband is clear - Willunga has seen the highest take up rate of any first release site, with more than 90 percent of residents signing up for a free fibre connection. To date, more than 650 trial users have been connected across Australia, with over 1800 customers receiving services over the NBN.
As the NBN deployment spreads across Australia, all businesses will benefit from using the many online collaboration tools available, helping them improve their efficiency and productivity while overcoming the issue of large distances by bringing people and organizations closer together.
While it will take some time for the NBN to become a reality for all Australians, as more communities get connected it's critical that businesses start preparing for the impact that this infrastructure will have on the way that they operate.
Collaboration services - such as video, web and mobile applications - now exist to help these workers stay in touch and get the job done. Whether you're outback or in the outer suburbs, market movements suggest we're on the brink of a boost in Australian flexible working. Today, it's not just about teleworking, but workshifting. The tools and opportunities are here today; it's just a question of how quickly businesses will embrace them.
Photo Credit: Talentless Clown
