NBN Co reaches out to first-release residents

Free fibre offer - but no guarantees.

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Residents in two of the first five mainland test sites for the national broadband network will this week receive letters from NBN Co offering free connections from their homes to the network.

NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley said today that residents of Kiama Downs and Minnamurra in NSW and Willunga in South Australia would receive a letter and "consent form" [PDF] next week.

The form had to be returned by the end of August to qualify the resident for a "free standard optical fibre installation from the street to their premises."

However, accepting the offer did not guarantee free fibre infrastructure.

One of the terms and conditions of the consent form stated: "I understand that in some circumstances it may not be possible to do a standard free installation at my premises, even if I have accepted this offer."

NBN Co also said an installation fee "may apply" if residents didn't return forms by August 31.

"By signing this consent form, you don't have to cancel your existing phone or internet service," Quigley said.

"It simply gives you a chance to prepare your premises for the opportunity to be part of the NBN at a time of your choosing once the network goes live."

Work on the sites was expected to commence shortly.