Framing the NBN: public perceptions and media representations

The success of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in fulfilling its ambition to connect every business and household in the country, grow the digital economy, and support digital inclusion by upgrading Australia's communication infrastructure, will be shaped by how it is understood, adopted and appropriated by end-users. Since the project was announced on 7 April 2009 by the Labor Government, the NBN has attracted a great deal of media coverage; coupled with, at times, divisive political debate around the model, costs and technology. The rollout of the NBN is now well underway in major cities and regional areas around the country. However, the future model of broadband delivery is likely to change given the outcome of the 2013 Federal election. The new Coalition Government has promised to install a Fibre to the Node (FttN) infrastructure - in place of the previous Fibre to the Premises (FttP). Nevertheless, ongoing uncertainty around the eventual configuration of the NBN, as well as its uses and benefits are far from resolved.