Residents and businesses across the North Coast are being encouraged to prepare their communication plans ahead of the higher-risk storm and emergency season.
Nbn is urging communities to take steps to stay connected during extreme weather, warning that power outages and damage to telecommunications infrastructure can disrupt essential services.
The company says more than 8,100 homes and businesses across the Bellingen Shire and Nambucca Valley are now eligible for full fibre upgrades.
The upgrades, delivered through nbn’s Fibre to the Premises network, aim to improve connection reliability and resilience, with fibre infrastructure less vulnerable than copper-based services to water damage and some environmental impacts.
Nbn says it is also strengthening its emergency response capabilities by positioning generators in higher-risk areas, monitoring its network around the clock and preparing equipment to help maintain services during outages.
Nbn Head of Regional Engagement NSW Tom O’Dea said staying connected should be a key part of household and business emergency planning.
“Communities across NSW are familiar with preparing their homes, emergency kits and evacuation plans ahead of storm season, but it’s equally important to think about how you’ll stay connected to information, services and loved ones during an emergency.”
“However, emergency events can impact both power and telecommunications networks. Equipment across our network as well as within your home or business may require power, and services can be affected if network infrastructure is damaged or any part of that chain loses power.”
“Resilience starts before the weather arrives. That is why the most important message is to prepare now. Keep a charged mobile phone and portable battery pack in your emergency kit, have more than one way to receive information, and understand the emergency arrangements in your local area.”
Residents are being advised to keep mobile phones and portable battery packs charged, have a battery-powered radio available and consider alternative communication options in case of network disruptions.
Households and businesses are also encouraged to back up important documents, review local emergency arrangements and regularly test their emergency plans.
While full fibre connections can offer greater resilience against some weather-related damage, nbn warns services may still be disrupted during power outages or when network infrastructure is damaged.
North Coast residents can check their eligibility for a full fibre upgrade and access further information at www.nbnco.com.au/CheckRegional.
Additional emergency preparedness advice is available on the nbn website.
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