BTW, here is a copy of an e-mail I just posted on Senator Lundy’s website.

Hi Kate,

I have just gotten to your site (sorry) and I am really happy with what I see and wish to say thank you for the issues that you are raising for us.

I would also like to encourage you in the work on the issue of poor internet in Gungahlin. As a resident of Palmerston, I have been subsidising Telstra for long enough and am now waiting with suspense for news on the NBN and how it will impact on the deplorable state of affairs in my area (when it comes to broadband).

Whilst I know that you have been an advocate in this for many years, by way of background, I have been monitoring the speed of internet in my area over the past 4 months. I found that at times the speed can be a maximum of 600kbps, but at peak times, it can drop to a pitiful 8!

I had a telstra technician out and he said that there was no problem (he came at about 12:00 on a tuesday), so I can only conclude that it is a matter of congestion, that is too many people who want to access broadband infrastructure at the same time (approx 4pm to 11pm Mon to Fri, and all Sat and Sum)- which probably reflects the demgraphics of the area.

Due to my young families increasing dependence on the internet (both for recreation and work/school) it is becoming a huge issue for us for this reason that I would really like to encourage you to keep lobbying for this Gungahlin to be on a priority list of areas for the NBN roll out.

I also understand, however, that everyone wants to get on the NBN first. I think, however, that this area has a number of merits that could give it a good case.
1. The area (of over 31,000 people at 2006 Census) has had to live with inequitable access to broadband for at least 10 years, which is not only the worst in Canberra, but worse than many rural and regional areas.
2. This area would be a fantastic example of a new and expanding suburban/metro area adapting the new technology (especially with the new expansion in the Gungahlin Town Centre).
3. Due to the current congestion issues and demographics, it is easy to assume that there would be a huge take-up of the new technology in this area and help in load testing.
4. Considering that that the new suburbs of Crace and new Franklin will be getting Fibre-To-The-Home installed as they are developed (in the upcoming months), I assume that there would be savings to government through concurrent installment.

Many thanks for your time and keep up the good work!
Greg Wells

And thank you Senator Lundy for still trumpeting the issues of poor internet infrastructure here in the north due to Telstra.