MEDIA RELEASE
NBN urgently needed in Gungahlin
Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy and Gungahlin Broadband activist Mr Russ Gillon have today called for NBN priority in Gungahlin to get around Telstra’s broadband blockers.
Senator Lundy and Mr Gillon from ACT Broadband, a grass roots campaign highlighting the impact of broadband-blocking technologies (RIMs)* in Telstra’s copper network have joined forces to push for the NBN to be rolled out in Gungahlin and other areas around Canberra where broadband is limited.
Senator Lundy said “I have been challenging Telstra on this issue for many years, and I am outraged they have continued to install network technologies that they know will not service the growing demand for bandwidth.
Mr Gillon said “Telstra’s failure to deliver by their persistent use of RIM technology in new areas underlines the urgency for the roll-out of the National Broadband Network. I am disappointed Telstra continued to roll out RIMs, especially to high growth new areas such as Gungahlin.
RIM technologies are simply not scalable or appropriate for modern Internet usage, and create an unnecessary limitation to people living in those areas.”
Senator Lundy and Mr Gillon will be making representations to the National Broadband Network Company and will be providing a briefing to Minister Conroy about the ongoing negative impact of Telstra’s persistent use of broadband-blocking RIMs in the network.
Please see Senator Lundy and Russ Gillon in a short video interview for more information about this issue.
*RIM: Remote Integrated Multiplexor is a large pair gain system that functions like a mini exchange except there is a finite number of ADSL (broadband) service ports which limits the number of broadband service services available per RIM. When demand exceed port availability, people are placed on a waiting list or encouraged to take up 3G mobile data services, a more expensive option with diminishing capacity as more people subscribe.
Media contact: Annika Hutchins (Senator Kate Lundy) 0407 458 882
Russ Gillion (ACT Broadband) 0417 551 550
