For small business owners and those running online businesses, reliable high-speed internet is more than a convenience. It’s an absolute necessity. From video calls and cloud-based tools to e-commerce and digital marketing, connectivity impacts everything we do.
Australia’s national broadband network (nbn) was meant to provide a fast, future-proof internet solution, but its rollout has been plagued by delays, cost blowouts, and inconsistent service quality. These challenges have directly affected businesses relying on stable connections to operate efficiently.
In this article, I’ll explore what went wrong with the nbn and what we can learn from its rollout. Especially as we push for better broadband solutions in the future.
Make a long-term plan and stick to it
One of the biggest lessons we can learn from the nbn is the importance of a clear, consistent long-term strategy. The project in Australia had the initial vision of delivering fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) to 93% of homes and businesses by 2020. But in 2013, a change in government led to a change in plan.
Calling a nationwide FTTP network a waste of money, the Coalition government spent several years and a lot of money trying to cut corners with a multi-technology mix. This led to shoddy service and extra costs as outdated copper networks struggled to support modern digital demands.
It wasn’t until 2020 – after spending some extra billions of dollars – that the Coalition admitted they should just have stuck with FTTP from the beginning.
For future infrastructure projects, I believe that committing to a well-researched, future-proof technology and seeing it through is the way to go.
Don’t politicise essential infrastructure
On that note, I’ll talk about how the nbn rollout became a political battleground, with successive governments altering its design and funding.
The original 2009 plan under Kevin Rudd’s government aimed to connect 93% of premises with FTTP, with the remainder using fixed wireless and satellite. However, in 2013, Tony Abbott’s government decided to go with a multi-technology mix, mostly using fibre to the node (FTTN) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC).
Over time, FTTN proved inadequate, as was anticipated, and FTTP was expanded. Experts like Mark Gregory from RMIT estimate the revised approach could exceed A$70 billion, while the original FTTP plan might’ve cost A$50 billion due to low interest rates.
Despite this, the Abbott and Turnbull governments promoted the multi-technology model as a cheaper and faster solution until 2020. Now, in the lead-up to the 2025 election, Prime Minister Albanese has promised NBN Co an extra $3 billion to finally get the FTTP rollout done.
I think this is a great example of why essential infrastructure projects should be tackled with bipartisan support.
Anyone looking to implement nationwide digital infrastructure should take note of this experience. Perhaps consider creating an independent commission to oversee such projects and ensure technology choices are based on expert recommendations rather than short-term political gains.
Be accountable
One of the ongoing frustrations we have with the nbn has been a lack of transparency regarding rollout timelines, costs and service quality. Many of us have been uncertain about when we would get connected and dubious about how good it would be.
More transparency in major infrastructure projects fosters public trust and ensures accountability. Making key project data publicly accessible – something NBN Co isn’t known for – can help identify issues early, allow for constructive public feedback, and improve decision-making processes.
Take a lesson from the Australian nbn rollout: open communication and regular progress updates are essential to maintaining confidence in large-scale projects.
Reliable internet is essential for small businesses
For small business owners, especially those operating online, internet reliability directly impacts productivity, customer service, and revenue. Slow speeds, outages, and network congestion can lead to lost sales and inefficiencies.
This is particularly true in major business hubs like Melbourne, where demand for high-speed internet is high. Finding an NBN provider that offers fast and stable connections without heavy congestion is vital. Providers such as Swoop offer business-grade broadband solutions, ensuring companies have the connectivity needed to stay competitive.
Whether you’re running a digital agency, an e-commerce store, or a remote team, choosing the right NBN provider can make a big difference in daily operations and long-term business success.
Focus on equity in service delivery
The nbn rollout here had some pretty major discrepancies in service quality, with some areas receiving high-speed fibre connections while others were left with outdated technology.
Mostly regional and rural communities were passed over, raising concerns about digital inclusion. The NSW Business Chamber even held an inquiry into the rollout of the nbn in rural and regional areas in 2018.
Ensuring fair and equitable access to critical infrastructure is essential. Governments and service providers must commit to bridging the digital divide by prioritising underserved areas. A proactive approach to equity in service delivery can help prevent long-term economic and social disadvantages.
Plan for the future
When the nbn was first proposed in 2009, streaming services, cloud computing and remote work weren’t a ‘thing’ in the way they are today. The way our digital needs have changed so quickly since then has shown the limitations of relying on outdated copper-based technologies, requiring further investment to upgrade connections.
This is why the Coalition government backflipped (again) in 2020 and decided to fully commit to FTTP.
Future infrastructure planning should factor in emerging technologies and allow for scalability. Building with future growth in mind means you’re less likely to need expensive upgrades down the track.
What we’ve learned
Our nbn experience in Australia shows how major infrastructure projects need strategic foresight, bipartisan commitment and transparent governance.
The lessons are clear: effective infrastructure development requires long-term planning, political neutrality and a commitment to technological progress.
By applying these lessons, your projects – whether you’re working in telecommunications, transport or energy – can deliver on their promises more efficiently and fairly than ours did.
Key takeaways
- The nbn rollout highlights the necessity of a clear long-term strategy and the risks of political interference.
- Transparency and accountability in project management are crucial for public trust and effective decision-making.
- Ensuring equitable access to infrastructure and planning for future technological needs are essential to prevent disparities and accommodate growth.
