Click to see the areas where Telstra will start switching off services in certain areas served by the NBN.
Part of the NBN plan was that the Telstra and Optus fixed networks would be decommissioned in areas served by NBN fibre.
A reasonable period of overlap is provided to give households and businesses time to change over to NBN-delivered services whether they wish to stay with their current provider or to take the opportunity to shop around.
But for the first areas to get NBN fibre that period is almost over, and from tomorrow (23 May) Telstra will start switching off landline phone, ADSL and cable internet services in those parts of Armidale, Minnamurra and Kiama Downs (NSW); South Morang and Brunswick (Vic); Townsville, Aitkenvale and Mundingburra (Qld); Willunga (SA); and Deloraine, George Town, Kingston Beach, Sorell, St Helens and Triabunna (Tas).
19,000 homes and businesses are affected, but according to NBN Co "the overwhelming majority" have already switched.
"Any family or business that is yet to make the switch can choose to place an order with their preferred phone company or internet service provider or they can stick with a mobile or other wireless solution. The choice is up to them," said John Simon, chief customer officer at NBN Co.
"But we are working hard with the industry to ensure that no-one in these areas who wants the NBN is left behind."
It appears that the switch-off is not going to happen instantly, but anyone still using a fixed-line phone, an ADSL service, or Telstra cable internet in the affected areas should take urgent action to order NBN service from their selected provider, or change to wireless services.
A survey conducted in April for service provider iiNet found that 67 percent of Australian adults thought connecting to the NBN was optional and that they could continue to use their existing broadband connections (to be fair, that is correct - but only in the short term), 50 percent did not know how to get an NBN service connected, and 20 percent thought NBN Co will become their internet provider.
Eight percent had never heard of the NBN.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports here that according to the ACCC the switch-off will be spread over six months and that households and businesses will not be disconnected during that period unless they have told their current provider they don't want to move to the NBN and they understand this means their copper or cable services will be disconnected.
