First NBN plans for small business don't connect to switchboards

Optus has released small business products that use the national broadband network (NBN) for connectivity. Available only in NBN early sites (Townsville, Armidale, Willunga, Brunswick, Kiama Downs and Minnamurra), the plans offer either data or bundled phone and data services.

We’ve included Optus’ tables describing the plans at the bottom of this story, but one feature the telco isn’t talking up is the fact that the wireless router used won’t support PABXs. This means if your office uses a PABX or switchboard to connect more than one phone line, you need to wait before Optus can help you out.

An Optus spokesperson pointed out that the router the company will provide does have two voice ports. One is activated for the voice service that comes with its bundles and, the spokesperson said, it is theoretically possible to use the other port to hook up to any voice over internet protocol equipment you use. But Optus can’t guarantee your PABX will work.

For now, that makes these plans suitable only for micro-business.

We suspect the delay is due to the fact NBNCo itself has only just started to sort out how it will support PABX manufacturers. The company has, at least, created a business-grade service for the NBN.