Telstra boss warns Australians to ration their internet usage during coronavirus outbreak

Australians should ration their internet use as the country’s broadband network struggles to cope with a surge in people working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Telstra CEO Andy Penn said while workplaces have high-capacity fibre networks, homes rely on network infrastructure not normally used to such high demand.

He called on households to work together in managing their internet usage and decide who will be using the family broadband connection at any one time.    

‘When we’re in the office or at work or at school or university, generally speaking we’re operating in an environment where they’ve got dedicated high-capacity fibre networks for those organisations,’ Mr Penn told ABC’s 7.30.  

‘When we all move to work from home we then have to move to the NBN and the mobile network.’

The NBN has increased its capacity by 40 per cent to meet demand placed on the system by an increase in Australians working from home.

Mr Penn said there were multiple ways remote workers could help on their end to ease pressure on the NBN.  

‘Think about when the kids are studying at home and parents are working from home,’ he said.

‘Maybe don’t try and all use the internet at the same time and mitigate the extent to which you’re doing that.

Telstra CEO Andy Penn (pictured) said while workplaces have high-capacity fibre networks, homes rely on network infrastructure not normally used to such high demand

‘If you want to watch a movie, maybe think about downloading it overnight rather than streaming it live – some of those practical things.’  

The NBN has been plagued with criticism during the rollout of the new multi-technology network over the past decade.

The past week has also seen Australians struggling to use their wi-fi connection for work purposes take to social media to voice their frustrations.

There are more than 450 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia and five people have died as debate continues to rage around what people should or shouldn’t take

Pedestrians walk past an official medical advice advertisement by the Australian Federal Government on Wednesday

The past week has seen Australians struggling to use their wi-fi connection for work purposes take to social media to voice their frustrations

‘The NBN doesn’t even work properly on a normal day, how is it supposed to survive when everyone in Australia is isolated in their houses trying to work from home/watch Netflix while quarantined,’ one person wrote.

‘How stupid is this, I actually work from home full time and now can’t due to the poor service by @NBN_Australia,’ another added.  

Telecommunications companies are meanwhile preparing for boost in daytime traffic as more Australians work from home because of coronavirus.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher on Monday held a teleconference with senior executives of NBN Co, Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, TPG and Vocus.

The companies have set up a working group to share information with each around issues emerging from the virus, such as engineering, security and operations.

“Our telcos are quickly responding to the evolving challenges of COVID-19 and have in place business continuity plans to continue to deliver vital telecommunications services,” Mr Fletcher said.

The companies are bracing from the increase in network traffic after Italy reported a 26 per cent increase in fixed line peak hour network traffic because of more people working from home.

The telcos are also awaiting advice from the government on how to protect technicians against customers that are self-isolating.