Election delay extends free NBN deadline

in brief The National Broadband Network Company (NBN Co) announced today that it will extend the deadline for those in first release sites to sign up to have their houses connected to the fibre network.

Giving NBN Co the nod only allows the company to connect a physical, fibre-optic cable to the premises. Customers are then required to contact an internet service provider if they wish to sign up for a broadband service running over the network.

Home and business owners now have until 8 October to hand in forms allowing NBN Co to complete the hook-up.

"The response so far has been very positive; however, there are still a large number of properties within the first release sites that are yet to return their consent forms," NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley said in a statement. "I recognise that some people may have been holding back given the uncertainty that surrounded the election, so we have now provided an extra window of opportunity."