Tamworth Regional Council: NBN issues for regional and rural Australia could go to National General Assembly

It comes after Technitune Computer Specialists owner Adam Petronaitis claims he was quoted $1.3 million to change his satellite internet connection at home to NBN's much-faster fibre to the premises model.

"We need to get a bunch of neighbours together to get the whole area updated, but they can only quote single residents to get it from the New England Highway to our suburb in Tintinhull," he said.

"I do work from home so anything is better than nothing.

"In town [at his business] we're on fibre to the node, and we got a quote to switch to full fibre for $16,000, which I've done quotes for other businesses and that's about the average cost to connect at their own expense in Tamworth."

All local councils have the opportunity to put forward issues that are important to their community at the National General Assembly (NGA).

The NGA can then lobby state and federal governments.

Councillors will vote on whether to make a submission asking the NGA to call on the federal government to investigate the 'failings' of the NBN in rural and regional Australia and the 'exorbitant cost' of connection for businesses and residents.

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It's free for businesses and residents to connect to the NBN - but the type of connection varies and upgrades can come at a cost.

TRC strategy and performance executive manager Jason Collins said in his report the $1.3 million quote given to Mr Petronaitis is "entirely unsatisfactory" when Tamworth could have had fibre to the premises in 2010.

"The initial plan of the NBN was fibre to the premise, then changed to fibre to the node as a cheaper option," he said. "While there are options for a free upgrade, it is capped and has caveats.

"Whole communities have been missed in the roll out, without even getting access to Fixed Wireless connections and are still on ADSL1 connections, barely able to get 10 Mpbs download speeds."

The draft submission argues NBN Co could have used fibre instead of copper at the initial install.

NBN Co declined to comment until TRC voted on the draft submission.

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