Communications Alliance to look at consumer info on NBN rollout

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 15 March 2011 07:41

IT Industry - Strategy

Communications Alliance's NBN steering committee has approved the formation of a new working group to focus on consumer information relating to the rollout of the NBN.

The move comes in the wake of complaints by Digital Tasmania last week that consumers in Tasmania were not being given sufficient information about the NBN rollout in that state, which is the first to get NBN Co's fibre to the home services.

Communication Alliance said that, given the potential complexity of the issues facing consumers at the point of migration and beyond - as they seek to optimise their communications experience in an NBN environment - clear and well-targeted public information programs would be essential to enabling an efficient and smooth transition to the NBN.

It is seeking members for the group "who have expertise in the public/corporate communications field." The new working group will be tasked with "providing guidance to Communications Alliance on NBN-related public dialogue and education issues generally and will focus on providing appropriate information and advice to NBN Co and helping to guide the Government-mandated public information campaign that NBN Co will undertake."

The working group will also assist in the finalisation of a service provider messaging platform - a document addressing a wide range of likely questions and issues relevant to consumers on migration activities including descriptions of what migration will involve, who the key players in that activity will be, and issues such as services, contracts equipment, fault management and more.

Digital Tasmania spokesperson Andrew Connor told the House Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications' inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network, at a public hearing in Launceston: "Many in the Tasmanian community have heard of the NBN, but they know few other details. Even those who seek more details are often left confused over how they will connect to the NBN in terms of fibre or wireless; and how to compare their current broadband plan with those the NBN will offer."