Members of the KI Business and Brand Alliance (KIBBA) have been able to raise their concerns about the NBN during a roundtable discussion hosted online by NBN Co for stakeholders in the Fleurieu, Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island region.

KIBBA members raised issues about internet speeds available on the NBN being slower than advertised; poor phone signal in areas around the Island; timing and notification of upgrades and interruptions; contacting and service from their retail providers.

KIBBA executive officer Shauna Black attended the forum, along with representatives from the KI Council, Regional Development Australia and the Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie.

NBN Co representatives outlined recent assistance packages it has rolled out, how NBN Co had responded to increased demand for online services because of COVID-19 and additional network capacity that had been activated.

NBN Co has formed a new business unit – Regional Development & Engagement (RDE) – in recognition of the company’s mission to ensure the digital needs of regional and remote Australians are met.

“We have set ourselves on a path of continuous improvement across all technologies, which is why we’re so proud that the new Sky Muster satellite products are proving to be reasonably priced, fit for purpose and meeting the needs of customers,” NBN Co’s SA Regional and Remote manager Jill Bottrall said.

NBN Co had also addressed issues in the wake of the 2019-20 bushfires, including providing better battery backup for remote towers.

She said while many of the problems businesses encountered were the responsibility of their retail provider (such as Telstra, Optus), the NBN team would do its best to assist and she invited businesses to visit nbn.com.au to seek assistance or by emailing [email protected] to arrange a one-on-one online session.

The online assistance could help with:

• NBN rollout including technology and how to get connected.
• Tips for avoiding scams and reporting potential scams.
• Advice for optimising the NBN experience in your home or business.
• The role of NBN and phone/ internet providers in your area.
• Information about NBN announcements or programs

The NBN roundtable will be held quarterly.

Ms Black said the forum would provide a great opportunity to raise issues for Kangaroo Island businesses. “In the past few months, business on Kangaroo Island has come to rely even more heavily on its internet connectivity. We’ll keep working on behalf of members to raise issues and seek solutions,” she said.