A new website launched last week shows Australians how they can see how their neighbourhood rates in terms of internet connectivity. NBN Co has the information from the website and will consider poorly served areas in prioritising the NBN rollout where this is logistically and commercially feasible.

The government released the full Broadband Availability and Quality Report, and launched the MyBroadband website that provides information at a local level.

The report shows there are up to 1.6 million premises throughout Australia which have either no broadband or very poor broadband connectivity, with peak median download speeds of less than 4.8 megabits per second.

The report compares broadband quality and availability to homes and businesses in over 78,000 local areas across Australia.

The report is the first of its kind to be undertaken by an Australian government, with data drawn from all major Australian telecommunication carriers. 

It describes the broadband technologies available as well as the speed that can typically be achieved over each available technology platform.

NBN Co has been provided with the analysis and will prioritise work in under-served areas where this is logistically and commercially feasible .

The NBN’s recent Strategic Review found that underserved areas can be upgraded on average two years sooner if they are prioritised in the rollout.

The MyBroadband website allows people to see the broadband availability and quality ratings for their local area. 

The analysis and website identify areas in Australia where there is little or no access to broadband infrastructure.

The Broadband Availability and Quality Report is an important step in the NBN reform project to ensure that the areas with the poorest broadband can benefit sooner from the NBN rollout.

MyBroadband address: www.communications.gov.au/mybroadband

Broadband Availability and Quality Report: www.communications.gov.au/broadband/national_broadband_network.