Over the last week or so my to-do list has been growing longer by the day. Pay those niggling bills, switch to e-statements for my banking, look into a short getaway for the Easter break, treat my ears to some new music, upgrade my mobile phone – the list goes on!

But with organisations making more of their services available online, I’m just thankful the majority of my list can be ticked off without having to take on the weekend shopping crowds or run hither and thither – via the Internet.

Early plans are in place to provide all Australians with faster internet, so this month we’re off on a whirlwind trip into the not-too-distant future to look at the Federal Government’s plan for National Broadband Network and how it’s hoped it will redefine the way we communicate online.

Successful business is all about communication, too, so we’re pleased to unveil Westnet’s new Business Plans, specially designed to meet your unique requirements to help your business grow.
The AFL and NRL season’s so close you can almost smell it, so Westnet is launching its brand new Tipping Competition for 2010. This year we’ve given the competition a revamp, so make sure you register to be in the running for great weekly goodies and two massive major prizes.

Do you love being a Westnet Member? The Westnet Member Referral competition is now up and running, so spread the word. We’re giving you the chance to win a Home Entertainment Package for you and a friend, just for letting them know about the wonders of Westnet.

Lastly, two big movie giveaways round off a button-popping Newsletter with tickets to Denzel Washington and Sam Worthington’s latest films also up for grabs, so good luck!

Westnet Members with their finger on the pulse would be up to date on discussion surrounding the Federal Government’s National Broadband Network. This initiative as been on the national agenda for some time now, but debate continues in a number of areas as the Government looks to set the foundations for a national broadband service.

For those without a solid understanding of the NBN, here’s an introduction to the planned Network and how it’s hoped it will (eventually) reshape the role of broadband technology in everyday life.

The N-B-what?

NBN stands for National Broadband Network – a Federal Government initiative that will see Fibre to the Home (FTTH), the fastest broadband available in Australia, supplied to 90% of Australian home and businesses. The remaining 10% will have access to high speed broadband via mobile or satellite technology.

The Government has set up its very own business enterprise – NBN Co Limited – for the initial design and construction of the Network, with the reins to then be shared with communications providers in a public-private partnership.

It’s kind of a big deal

If we think about the future potential of broadband-related communications, the NBN is a big deal – really big. In fact, the Federal Government’s initial pledge of up to $43 billion for the supply of top-notch broadband to some eight million houses and businesses makes the NBN the largest single infrastructure investment in Australia’s history.

The NBN won’t be built in a day

Providing eight million houses and businesses with FTTH broadband is no mean feat, and plugging them into the NBN pipeline won’t happen overnight. The Network has been earmarked to be up and running in stages over the next eight years, helping stimulate the economy with an estimated 47,000 new jobs.

Network construction has already begun in areas of Tasmania, with rollout scheduled for mainland Australia thereafter.

The times, they are a-changing

Technology tends to move at breakneck speeds, so it’s sometimes a bit of a struggle to stay on top of advancements. Over the next decade, on the back of a fully functioning NBN, it’s hoped broadband technology will be continue to scale new heights.

The excitement around the NBN stems from the increased bandwidth potential of FTTH technology, paving the way for new advancements in the way we communicate.

Bandwidth refers to how fast data flows through the path that travels to your computer; the greater the bandwidth, the more information transferred at one time. FTTH delivers the fastest broadband available in Australia and promises a range of communications benefits in all areas of life, but notably business, health, education security and recreation.

Looking forward

When you think about current technology and the dependency on regular broadband speeds for our home and business needs, it’s easy to see how a faster, Fibre-driven NBN opens the door to a whole stack of communication opportunities.

Yes, the wonders of the NBN are several years away from becoming a reality, but it’s nice to take a quick look into the future and think about how the National Broadband Network will potentially redefine the way we communicate with one another, and how Australia will eventually be a part of it.

From a consumer point of view, an NBN offers greater choice and a better service. For Westnet – an ‘NBN-ready’ provider – it means getting in on the act to supply our Members with first class broadband and enhancing their online experience.

Keep an eye on the news for more advancements in the NBN!

At Westnet, we’re pleased to unveil our brand new Business Plans – delivering super-fast broadband and a whole stack of features to meet all your business communications needs.

If you’re a Westnet residential Member and run your own business, or are looking for a competitive business solution, Westnet’s new business plans come with a whole range of handy benefits including:

• Access to broadband speeds as fast as your line can go
• Static IP
• Convenient Anytime quota (no peak or off peak times)
• A dedicated account manager delivering Westnet’s award-winning customer service
• Great call rates and extra quota when bundled with Business Phone
• Much more!

We understand that all businesses have different requirements, so whatever your business needs, Westnet will tailor a plan to suit.  Simply call our dedicated Business Solutions team on 1300 786 006 or visit our website for more information.

It’s business time!

With the AFL and NRL 2010 seasons just around the corner, Westnet has launched an all-new Tipping competition sure to make following the games even more exciting!

Register here for the chance to tip games in both codes every round and a shot at some pretty amazing prizes.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a serious tipster, like to lay the occasional wager or a complete tipping novice – everyone’s welcome. Simply predict the win/lose/draw result of each match during the season and receive points for successful tips.

If you’re our weekly top tipper, you’ll win a $100 TAB Player betting voucher for a flutter on any sporting contest you please.

Our top performing tippers for the Aussie Rules and Rugby League seasons will each walk away with an LG 50″ frameless plasma TV; Panasonic DVD home theatre system with iPod dock; and Sony Playstation 3 250GB with PlayTV.

That’s right – one prize package for each code!

Even if you don’t know anything about Aussie Rules or Rugby League, tipping’s a cinch so make sure you get involved. If Lady Luck’s on your side, you could win your share of the awesome prize pool at stake.

The 2010 league season begins March 12^th while AFL round one is set to start March 25^th, so be quick and register your tipping account now.

If you tipped with us last year, you’ll need to re-register with our new provider. Our one simple signup will allow you to tip both NRL and AFL games each round.

May the best Westnet tipster win!

If you love being a Westnet member, we’d love you to tell your friends! If you do, you could be in the running to win a Samsung Home Entertainment Package.

Last month we gave you a sneak peek into Westnet’s new Member Referral Competition. Well, it’s now under way so this is your chance to help friends and family experience all the benefits of Westnet you already enjoy.

Voted PC Authority magazine’s Best Broadband ISP for 2009, we’re proud to offer the very best internet products and award winning customer service. We think it’s only fair your friends get the chance to experience Westnet’s premium internet and unbeatable customer service for themselves.

As part of our Member Referral competition we’re giving away two Samsung Home Entertainment Packages featuring a 46-inch High Definition LCD TV and home theatre system valued at $5298 – one for you and one for your friend!

To enter, simply refer a friend or family member with our easy online referral form. You’ll go into the draw to win EVERY time someone you’ve referred becomes a Westnet member.

Feel free to refer as many friends as you like; the more details you pass on, the more chances you’ll have to win.

Start spreading the Westnet word and good luck!

Competition closes at 11:59pm on April 28th 2010; check out the competition Terms & Conditions for more information.

Westnet and Warner Bros Pictures are giving members the chance to win one of 16 in-season double passes to see Clash of the Titans – the ultimate struggle for power.

While men fight against Kings and Kings against Gods, it’s the war between the Gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a God but raised as a man, Parseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful God of the Underworld.

With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on Earth. Leading a daring band of warriors, Parseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts he will only survive if he can accept his power as a God, defy his fate and create his own destiny.

For your chance to win one of 16 in-season double passes to Clash of the Titans, yet to be classified and in cinemas April 1^st, simply click the ‘Enter’ button in the Westnet Newsletter in your inbox. Entries are limited to one per Westnet username. The competition closes at 12.01am (WST) on Thursday April 1^st, 2010.

Westnet and Sony Pictures are pleased to present The Book of Eli – the story of one man’s commitment to survive – and continue.

In the not-too-distant future, some 30 years after the final war, a solitary man walks across the wasteland that was once America.  Empty cities, broken highways, seared earth—all around him, the marks of catastrophic destruction.  There is no civilization here, no law.

A warrior not by choice but necessity, Eli (Denzel Washington) seeks only peace but, if challenged, will cut his attackers down before they realize their fatal mistake.  It’s not his life he guards so fiercely but his hope for the future; a hope he has carried and protected for 30 years and is determined to realize.

For your chance to win one of 25 in-season double passes to The Book of Eli, yet to be classified and in cinemas April 15^th, simply click the ‘Enter’ button in the Westnet Newsletter in your inbox. Entries are limited to one per Westnet username. The competition closes at 12.01am (WST) on Thursday April 1^st, 2010.

It’s February already? I swear the months go by faster every year.

Perhaps I’ve been caught up in all the sports action of summer and the weeks got away from me. There was a load of cricket, basketball and golf, plus the Australian Open tennis recently drew to a close – so this summer’s been a non-stop sports smorgasbord!

February’s Newsletter delivers even more joy for sports fans, with news we’ve again teamed up with our pals at FOX SPORTS to stream heaps of the 2010 Investec Bank Super 14 Season via Freezone. Find out how you can catch every Aussie scrum, tackle and try – absolutely quota-free.

To couple this exciting news, we take a closer look at streaming and the ways you can hear and see online content on demand. We’ll also highlight the stack of streaming goodness available quota-free via Freezone.

This month we also discover how e-Books are growing in popularity as a new, convenient alternative for budding readers – but are they any match for the good old paperback?

We take a sneak peek into our exciting new Member Referral competition, plus we’ve got passes to see three great movie releases – so make sure you get your name in the draw to win.

Take a closer look for yourself and enjoy February’s Westnet Newsletter.