So, it begins.
Let’s just preface this that from the very start of the wild journey that is Game On Australia, Pete and I have called out the NBN for the mess it is and sadly looks like it always be.
MALCOLM!!!!
If you’ve been anywhere near the Internet this morning, if it’s actually behaving, you would have no doubt seen a story doing the rounds about Telstra offering compensation to customers for slow NBN speeds.
The term “speeds” being an oxymoron in this case.
I’ve had my NBN (FTTN) for less than two years, and from memory, we were one of the first suburbs in WA (maybe even Australia) to “enjoy” the FTTN technology.
I am absolutely gobsmacked that not even two years in (in my case), we already have one of the major players in Australia’s NBN game essentially admitting fault and offering compensation packages for Telstra customers who feel aggrieved about their speeds… still, an oxymoron.
Now, it’s pretty easy for me to type away here and bag out the NBN… there’s absolutely no chance I would have had the know-how or the foresight to come up with a better idea… Australia is a unique place. A wide, brown expanse that would pose a whole headf*ck of issues when it comes to cabling.
I’m also fully aware that in the technology space, things evolve pretty quickly. The NBN was originally announced around 2007, according to Wikipedia.
Let’s put that in context. The iPhone was released to the world at around the same time. Facebook hasn’t entered the consciousness of most people around the world (definitely here in Australia).
So, at the time, the NBN was announced because it was probably widely understood that we needed to do something or risk falling behind.
It pains me to admit that, 10 years later, we’re behind. In a big way.
And this affects us as gamers, doing something we all bloody love.
BIGTIME!
So, I’m hoping like hell that the ACCC will force more providers into admissions of defeat and subsequent compensation packages. I’m locked into a contract with Optus (never again) and, quite frankly, in our household where many devices hook up to the NBN, speeds “up to” 25 MBPS doesn’t cut the mustard.
Remember, the original NBN plan forecast speeds of 100 MBPS per premises. This from Wikipedia:
“As originally proposed, wired connections would have provided up to 100 Mbit/s, later increased to 1 Gbit/s”
It then continues:
“…after the election of the Abbott government in 2013 this was downgraded to a minimum of 25 Mbit/s.”
And, if you continue reading on, here’s the real rub:
“nbn has stated that there is no significant demand for wired connections above 25 Mbit/s and consideration of upgrading the network will not be undertaken until demand for high-bandwidth services is proven.”
Um… Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think there’s probably a million gamers in this country (at least) who would dearly love to have consistent speeds over 25 MBPS. At an affordable price.
Yes, I know ping is the other key issue in gaming, but download speed is so important for everyone, not just gamers.
I know Pete and I have bagged out MALCOLM for seemingly years now, but after reading the Wikipedia page in some detail, it seems we need to add another name to the shitlist.
TONY!
In any case, the Telstra announcement today sets a precedent that maybe, just maybe, more providers will follow. It’s a case of watch this space.
Written by: @dantheinternut
