NBN 'increase data capacity' to take care of surge due to coronavirus

The National Broadband Network has assured customers it has contingency plans in destination to handle surging consumer require due to the coronavirus pandemic as more Australians continue steadily to work and study from your home.

NBN Co said it includes a team of data researchers and network engineers learning data consumption patterns far away that have been significantly influenced by the pandemic in latest weeks.

Leader Stephen Rue added the NBN will incrementally rise its data ability allocation to vendors to support the expected growth in residential data demand, while also limiting non-important maintenance.

"The NBN is portion of Australia's critical infrastructure, and the function of the network hasn't been more important than right now and what we see unfolding over the weeks in advance," he said.

"For most Australians, the NBN and different broadband and mobile networks will become the primary channel for work, research, entertainment, ordering foodstuff and maintaining connection with the outside world.

Mr Rue said the network has recorded a five per cent increase in traffic last Saturday and expected this pattern to keep as more people self-isolate.

He added the NBN has called for retailers to put their onward orders for his or her connectivity virtual circuit (CVC) capacity - the bandwidth distributed around customers.

"These are unprecedented situations and we are already seeing a steady upsurge in demand on the NBN, which is set to keep. In terms of the anticipated requests for further CVC capability, we will work with the Sector for the best solution. Clearly we all need to play our portion," he said

"We are actively dealing with vendors and have the entire support of our authorities stakeholders to ensure we do everything practical to optimise the NBN to aid the expected upsurge in residential use.

NBN Residential chief consumer officer Brad Whitcomb suggested persons should look in raising their potential to take care of the bandwidth required to work and study from home.

"Most home internet plans are used generally to download (web browsing, videos, music) and as such have great download speeds. But when it comes to working at home you may possess a greater dependence on uploading large files or joining Skype cell phone calls, so speak with your internet retailer to ensure your plan has the upload speeds you must home based," he said.