In today's digital landscape, both speed and reliability are paramount for internet users. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) latest Measuring Broadband Performance report highlights a significant trend: Australians are upgrading their National Broadband Network (NBN) connections not solely for faster speeds but also for enhanced reliability.

Numbers Don't Lie

The ACCC's report reveals that Fibre to the Node (FTTN) connections are underperforming compared to Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connections. Specifically, FTTN users on NBN 50 plans experience average download speeds approximately 5Mbps slower than those on other technologies, while NBN 100 plan users face speeds around 15Mbps slower. Moreover, FTTN services constitute 89% of underperforming NBN services, with NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans accounting for 94% of these underperforming connections.

Source : ACCC's official Measuring Broadband Performance Report

The Shift to FTTP

Recognising the limitations of FTTN, many Australians are transitioning to FTTP connections. FTTP offers superior performance by delivering fibre-optic connections directly to the premises, resulting in faster and more reliable internet services. NBN Co's free fibre upgrade program facilitates this transition, aiming to provide gigabit speeds to approximately 10 million homes by December 2025.

Occom's FTTP Upgrade Offers

At Occom, we are committed to enhancing your internet experience. Our NBN FTTP Upgrade Offer provides eligible customers with a complimentary upgrade from FTTN or Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) to FTTP. By selecting an eligible NBN plan, you can enjoy:

1. Two Months Free Service: Receive free service in the 2nd and 8th months
2. Savings: Select a discounted 12-month plan
3. $0 Activation Fee: Start your FTTP journey without any upfront costs

This initiative is part of the NBN Change of Access Technology (COAT) program, designed to improve internet experiences across Australia.

Benefits of Upgrading to FTTP

1. Enhanced Speed: Experience seamless streaming, gaming, and downloading with higher bandwidth.
2. Reliability: Fibre optics provide a more stable connection, reducing interruptions.
3. Future-Proofing: Be prepared for emerging technologies and increased household device usage.

Visit here to check your eligibility for free NBN FTTP upgrade and also explore our range of NBN plans. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you in making the switch to a faster, more reliable internet connection.

Embrace the future of connectivity with Occom and enjoy the benefits of superior internet performance.

Occom is thrilled to announce its inclusion in the prestigious Australian Financial Review (AFR) Fast 100 list for 2024. This marks the third consecutive year that Occom has earned this recognition, highlighting our consistent growth, innovation, and customer-first approach. It's a testament to our commitment to delivering reliable, high-speed internet and outstanding service to customers across Australia.

Thanks to our excellent troubleshooting, quick setup and high-speed internet, we have seen substantial growth in the past year, however we have not strayed from our customer-centric values. In order to better serve the diverse population of Australia, we provide customer care in a number of languages, including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, and Malaysian. We also communicate with customers via traditional channels as well as platforms like Facebook Messenger, iMessage, WhatsApp, and WeChat.

"It is a great honour for Occom to be recognised in the Australian Financial Review (AFR) Fast 100 List for 2024. This is our third consecutive year on the list, a remarkable achievement that reflects the trust and support of our customers, the dedication of our team, and our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence.
At Occom, we believe that growth is not just about numbers but about creating meaningful value for our customers. This milestone inspires us to continue improving, delivering faster, more reliable, and customer-focused internet solutions across Australia.
Thank you to every customer, partner, and team member for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we will continue to push boundaries and reach new heights in the telecommunications industry." said Philip Luo, CEO of Occom.

Transforming Customer Experience

Occom's approach to innovation has always been customer-centric.We offer a wide range of fibre and mobile plans to ensure that each customer receives personalised advice to fit their specific requirements. Whether you want low latency or your organisation needs stable, high-speed connectivity, our mission is to provide each customer with dependable, tailored solutions.

Occom has received praise from thousands of happy consumers, with products receiving excellent reviews from industry experts. Our youthful, enthusiastic, and professional team continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the future, making us one of Australia's fastest-growing telcos.

The Australian Financial Review 100 List

The AFR's Fast 100 List recognises Australia's fastest-growing, well-established companies. Businesses must have made at least $10,000 in FY22, $5 million in FY24, and been in operation prior to July 1, 2019, in order to be eligible.

Occom's latest recognition showcases our continuing dedication to redefining telecommunications through cutting-edge innovation, exceptional service quality, robust resilience, and industry-leading customer support.Our inclusion in the AFR Fast 100 List is the latest in a series of awards including the Mozo Expert Choice 2022 award and consecutive rankings in the Financial Times High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2023 & 2024. This is also our third year on the AFR Fast 100 List, reaffirming Occom's sustained growth and innovation in the ISP business. We are also delighted to maintain a 4.9/5 customer satisfaction rating from over 9,000 Google reviews.

About Occom

Occom has consistently established itself as a pioneer in the Australian telecom industry for our innovative solutions and outstanding customer assistance. Whether you have residential or business needs, we promise to deliver excellent and prompt support to help you achieve your goals. We offer broadband services with unlimited internet deals, mobile SIMs, home phone services, and routers for enhanced Wi-Fi. Our goal remains to keep improving and give our clients an even better experience.

Looking Ahead

Occom will continue to lead the way in redefining telecommunications in Australia. Whether for residential or commercial needs, our goal remains the same: to offer unparalleled internet solutions backed by a commitment to exceptional customer care.

It's undeniable that the internet has revolutionised the way we live, learn, and work in the 21st century.
Nevertheless, the internet is an integral part of Australian daily life. With over 22.13 million current internet users, the number is expected to surpass 23.3 million by 2025. Web browsing, gaming, and video streaming are the most popular online activities among adults, with over 90% of the population participating. As Australians continue to seek greater convenience in their daily tasks and entertainment, mobile internet usage is expected to keep rising.

High-Speed Internet: A Necessity for Australia

Despite Australia being a technologically advanced nation, many Aussies, particularly those living in rural and remote areas, are still struggling to get better internet connectivity despite the innovations taking place. Lack of good internet not only limits economic growth, but also restricts the availability of other numerous services like education, healthcare, etc.
Looking to the future, the need for a robust and reliable internet infrastructure in the country will only continue to evolve. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G, increase the demand for high-speed, low-latency internet connections. This highlights the best efforts of nbn, Australia's broadband network, in making continued improvements to deliver the reliable connectivity.

How is NBN Preparing to Deal with Speed Issues?

The National Broadband Network is in a continual process of improving the internet speed in Australia through a series of plan upgrades. This approach by nbn is driven by the increasing demand for faster and reliable internet, mainly for streaming, gaming, and remote work in recent times.
According to NBN Co, there are on an average of 22 devices connected to the internet in every household in Australia. Importantly, this number has doubled in the past few years and is expected to grow to 33 devices by 2026 and 40 by 2030.
To address speed issues, NBN continually proposes new upgrades to its internet plans with the commitment to deliver faster connectivity. Recently, nbn has proposed to accelerate its Home Fast, Superfast and Ultrafast speed tiers. The accelerated speed will be available to users who are connected to nbn through FTTP or HFC technologies. The goal is to enable retailers to prepare the product and service to meet the internet speed demands among residential, business and enterprise customers.
Source : https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/media-centre/media-statements/nbn-plans-to-accelerate-highest-speed-tiers

Future Plans of nbn for Fibre Connection Availability

Being in the continuous phase of expanding fibre connectivity, nbn is rolling out fibre optic cabling to improve broadband access and speed for residents and businesses in Australia.
NBN has proposed introducing accelerated speed within the coming year to homes and businesses. This means that approximately 9 million homes will get access to upgraded high-speed internet tiers by December 2024, expecting the further growth to 10.2 million eligible premises by the end of next year.

1.Target of 10 Million Premises

As part of its fibre upgrade program, NBN Co has already connected three million homes and businesses directly to fibre networks. This initiative aims to provide Australians with access to faster and more reliable broadband services, especially benefitting households with high data usage and multiple connected devices. By the end of 2025, over ten million premises are expected to be eligible for these enhanced speed plans.

2.Transition to FTTP

The NBN expansion is primarily focused on upgrading the existing connections (FTTN, FTTC) to FTTP. Furthermore, around 400,000 Australian homes and businesses are part of the program and are targeted to become eligible for NBN FTTP upgrade by 2025. The full fibre connection will provide access to people for nbn's highest tiers, capable of delivering speed up to 18 times faster than the average home broadband connections. Those who will mainly benefit are large households, gamers, and remote workers who require consistent high-speed internet.
Source : https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/media-centre/media-statements/millions-more-aussies-ready-for-18x-faster-nbn

Statement by NBN's Head

According to Rob Joyce, the NBN's Head of Customer Strategy and Innovation, he feels that many of the Australians are still facing the struggles for faster internet, despite being eligible for upgrades. He is constantly urging the residents of regional areas to apply for upgrades to enjoy the high-speed internet at home.
He stated that NBN is planning to have fibre connections available to more than seven million Australian households by next year's end.

Conclusion

NBN Co. strives to meet the nation's growing connectivity needs through continuous enhancements and Occom aligns with this mission by offering flexible tailored internet plans that deliver exceptional value, reliability, and customer satisfaction.Whether you're working from home, streaming, or playing games, our collaboration with NBN guarantees excellent speed and performance. Our goal is to make high-speed internet available and affordable for every family by providing competitive pricing that is transparent and free of hidden costs.
When you sign up for an NBN plan with Occom, you're choosing reliability, transparency, and customer care you can count on. Join the thousands of Australians who trust Occom for their internet needs!

Australia, a land known for its vast landscapes and unique wildlife, is unfortunately grappling with a digital dilemma: slow internet speeds. According to the Speedtest Global Index report, Australia ranked 19th globally for average download speed in 2024, with an average speed of 103.87 Mbps, which is slower compared to other developed countries.

Despite technological advancements, many Aussies struggle with slow internet speeds that impact their work, education, and entertainment. From hindering productivity and education to limiting social interactions and economic opportunities, the impact is far-reaching.

Factors Contributing to Slow Internet Speeds

There are different reasons contributing to the slow internet in the country.

1.Geography and Population Density:

Australia has a vast geographical size, with relatively low population density. Considering the fact that most of the population resides in cities along the coast, the distance between cities and the minimally populated interior can bring economic challenges to lay down critical infrastructure.

2.Infrastructure Issues:

Australia's internet infrastructure, particularly broadband cables, is struggling phase to meet the increasing demands of the digital age. Old copper wires lead to slower data transmission speeds and high energy losses, making the internet less efficient and not reaching its full potential. Reliance on outdated copper-based technology by many regions can also be a reason.

3.Government Policies:

Government policies have significantly influenced the internet landscape, with initiatives like the NBN project aimed at building a modern, nationwide broadband network. While challenges such as delays and regulatory complexities have created obstructions, these measures have laid a foundation for future growth and innovation in the telecommunications sector.

4.Technology challenges:

Australia's diverse landscape, coupled with its exposure to weather conditions, poses significant challenges to maintaining reliable internet infrastructure. Damage to cables and equipment due to adverse weather conditions can lead to service interruptions and slowdowns.

How Slow Internet is Impacting Aussie's Life?

The slow internet speed in the country affect various aspects of daily life. From remote work, education to entertainment and online services. Users often experience frustration due to unreliable connections and high costs, leading to a perception that they are receiving subpar service compared to other developed nations.

1. Impact on remote work and productivity

Undoubtedly, slow internet speeds have a direct impact on the productivity of employees, specifically in the case of remote work. Not only does it cause delays, but it also lowers the morale of the person.
Imagine how frustrating it is to struggle with video conferencing and online collaboration while handling important tasks!

2. Challenges in online education

Having a slow broadband connection adversely impacts students' ability to access educational resources, participate in virtual classes, collaborate on projects, and retain motivation. This ultimately hinders their overall academic performance, influencing their learning outcomes.

3. Entertainment and leisure

A slow internet connection can make it difficult to enjoy entertainment and leisure activities, which can be frustrating. Common issues include buffering while streaming services, high ping rates in games, delayed updates, and slow downloading. All these contribute to reduced engagement and potential loss of users on platforms.

What Steps can be Taken for Future Improvements?

1. Infrastructure Upgrades

Regular upgrades to network infrastructure can significantly enhance performance, reliability, and security, leading to a smoother and more secure user experience. NBN Co has embraced a comprehensive approach, delivering full fibre connections to every home to extend the benefits of the fastest internet in Australia.

2. Government Initiatives

Government initiatives addressing slow internet issues, particularly in regions with unique challenges such as low population density and geographical barriers, are crucial. The NBN full fibre upgrade approach enables eligible customers to upgrade to fibre, and experience the benefits of a reliable and consistent connection.

How the Solution Can Be Life-Changing?

First and foremost, having dependable internet is essential for productivity, lowering stress, and increasing efficiency. Faster internet speeds enables seamless workflows and streamlines business operations. A strong network makes it easier for students to obtain course materials, engage in interactive learning, and ultimately have a more fulfilling educational experience.

A strong internet connection is essential for building and maintaining social connections, whether it's connecting with friends and family or participating in online communities. The National Broadband Network (NBN) demonstrates how enhanced internet connectivity is promoting economic growth. The network has played a pivotal role in job creation across the nation, with estimates indicating that improved network speed contributed to the creation of 169,000 jobs between 2012 and 2022.

It is further anticipated that advancements in broadband speeds will lead to the creation of an additional 113,000 jobs, potentially seeing a rise in nbn supporting jobs to around 282,000 in the coming years.

Conclusion

To remain relevant and competitive in this digital era where technology is constantly updating, a high speed internet connection is a basic need in every Aussie's life. NBN is actively making significant investments in full fibre upgrade internet network campaigns, and this can be one of the best approaches for better connectivity.