National Broadband Network

Mr Fletcher asked the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, in writing, on 14 August 2012:

In respect of his department’s National Broadband Network (NBN) advertising, specifically endorsements by (a) Seren Trump - Small Home-Based Business Owner, and (b) Dave Paton- Helicopter Pilot, (i) where is the individual located, (ii) what type of NBN delivered service does this individual currently receive, (iii) what communications services did this individual previously receive, and (iv) was this individual previously eligible for the Australian Broadband Guarantee or similar subsidies.

Mr Albanese: The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question:

(a) (i) Ms Seren Trump is located in Armidale, NSW.

(ii) Seren Trump has an active NBN service with a commercial internet service provider.

(iii) The agency engaged to produce the advertisement has confirmed that Ms Seren Trump was receiving an NBN fibre service at the time the National Broadband Network (NBN) advertisements were filmed.

(iv) Ms Seren Trump would not have been eligible for the Australian Broadband Guarantee program as Armidale had access to commercial metro-comparable services such as ADSL and 3G in 2010-11.

(b) (i) Dave Paton is located in Kings Creek Station, Peterman Northern Territory.

(ii) Dave Paton of Kings Creek Helicopters currently receives a NBN Interim Satellite Service.

(iii) The agency engaged to produce the advertisement has confirmed that Dave Paton of Kings Creek Helicopters was receiving an NBN interim satellite service at the time the National Broadband Network advertisements were filmed.

(iv) The business premises was not registered under the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG) program, but based on being eligible for the Interim Satellite Service, it may have been eligible for the Australian Broadband Guarantee.