NBN Co to Remove Millions of Unnecessary Scheduled Outage Notifications
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission which is paid directly to our Australia-based writers, editors, and support staff. Thank you for your support!
Quick Overview
- NBN Co intends to eliminate 120,000 superfluous outage notifications each month.
- Initiatives are being tested to enhance the precision of outage notifications.
- Retailers and consumers have voiced worries about the overwhelming number of alerts.
- NBN Co aims for longer, less frequent periods of outages.
- Hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC) customers will be the first to witness these modifications.
NBN Co’s Revised Strategy for Outage Notifications
Simplifying Outage Notifications
NBN Co is tackling the problem of excessive planned outage notifications by removing alerts for outages that do not occur. This strategy aims to decrease the 120,000 monthly notifications, which have become a point of annoyance for both consumers and retailers.
Tackling Retailer Issues
Retailers have voiced their displeasure regarding the substantial number of notifications and the brief notice periods for scheduled work. NBN Co is addressing these concerns by refining its notification systems for enhanced clarity and efficiency.
Enhancing Notification Precision
NBN Co is testing enhancements in how it gathers data on power outages, transitioning from unreliable website information to more trustworthy API sources. This adjustment is expected to improve notification precision and diminish unnecessary alerts.
Future Adjustments in Outage Scheduling
There are plans to decrease cancellation notifications and refine the scheduling process for works. By the first half of FY26, NBN Co intends to eliminate 1.2 million cancellation notices annually, thereby cutting down confusion and communication overload.
Extended, Infrequent Outages
The company is investigating the feasibility of fewer but extended outage periods, as favored by 64% of survey participants. This approach will initially be trialed with Hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC) users to consolidate maintenance and upgrades into fewer disruptions.
HFC Enhancement Program
As part of the plant modernization upstream (PMUS) initiative, HFC users will encounter longer outage periods to facilitate simultaneous upgrade activities. If proven successful, this method will be broadened in Q1 FY26.
Conclusion
NBN Co is poised to considerably lessen the number of planned outage notifications by enhancing alert accuracy and instituting longer but less frequent outages. These modifications aim to address concerns from retailers and users, streamline communication, and ultimately improve service quality.