Australia’s Medium Business Sector expected to benefit from nbn’s new wholesale pricing model
We’re proud of the positive impact that nbn™ broadband access network is already having on Australian businesses across the nation.
Access to fast broadband brings with it the opportunity to engage with consumers, retailers, distributors, manufacturers, marketers and more – here and abroad – efficiently.
We’re continuously looking for ways in which we can work with the industry to ensure Australian businesses have an opportunity to enjoy the possibilities afforded by the nbn™ access network.
Today we’re happy to report we have developed a new pricing model for retail service providers to make nbn’s wholesale business-grade products more competitive and flexible.
Australia’s medium and enterprise businesses sector
Companies that operate with between 20 and 200+ employees are classified as medium and enterprise businesses in Australia. That accounts for around 11.7 per cent of the entire local business market. Flexible, mobile and adaptable, this sector is well-placed to benefit from access to fast broadband.
Australian businesses are looking to expand across Australia and even into foreign markets, they’re hiring new staff to work remotely using online cloud-based and video solutions; they’re outsourcing and distributing further afield by moving large, complex files over the network, and they’re marketing to new audiences in new ways.
However, ensuring businesses of this size and scope can provide fast broadband speeds to each employee requires plans based on specific wholesale business-grade products.
These wholesale product offerings are particularly aimed at helping medium and enterprise sized businesses harness technologies such as cloud computing, multi-line voice and video conferencing, and multimedia rich applications to work efficiently and drive revenue growth*.
The new wholesale pricing model and how it works
In beginning the process of re-examining our wholesale medium business pricing models, we took on board the feedback provided by a number of our retail service providers.
Through this consultation, we’ve determined that a capped wholesale monthly fee will address price competitiveness of nbn’s wholesale business products in the market.
This new wholesale pricing model will replace the previously-announced nbn Business Ethernet (nBE) product, and will launch on October 1, 2017.
I’m extremely happy to report that we’re enabling those offering high-speed broadband, voice services and after hours care on the nbn™ access network to market their products at a more cost effective price for their business customers.
The wholesale pricing will vary based on the amount of bandwidth purchased by retail service providers each month, and nbn’s higher speed tiers are expected to deliver the greatest reduction in overall wholesale costs.
Today’s announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to adapt and optimise our wholesale products and pricing in order to keep up with market trends.
Work productively, manage costs and improve customer service
It is hoped the new wholesale pricing model for wholesale business products will invite more Australian businesses to explore the possibilities of fast broadband.
I encourage business owners to do the necessary research before choosing a plan. Look for plans based on wholesale business products that replace your existing connection.
Consider how much data and what speed your kind of business requires. Establish if and when your existing service may be affected by migration#. And ensure that you make a plan to migrate your important business services such as ATMs, EFTPOS and fax machines to the new network.
We’re excited to see the coming growth in Australian business, powered by Australia’s new broadband network. We will continue to work with industry and service providers to meet the needs of Australian businesses now and in the future.
* Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ broadband access network depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans, signal reception and how your service provider designs its network.
# Services provided over the nbn™ broadband access network will be replacing phone and internet services provided over most of the existing landline networks, including copper and the majority of HFC networks within the fixed line footprint. Services provided over existing fibre networks (including in-building, health and education networks) and some special and business services may not be affected. To find out if your services will be affected, please contact your current phone or internet provider. For more information, visit www.nbnco.com.au/switchoff or call 1800 687 626.