Connectivity a good fit in Winnellie
Nestled between Darwin International Airport and the natural wonders of Charles Darwin National Park, you’ll find hard-working Winnellie (Larrakia Country).
A largely industrial suburb in the Northern Territory’s capital, Winnellie started out life in 1941 as a World War II Camp to “accommodate the largest concentration of military personnel in the Top End”.
Flash-forward to today and Winnellie’s locals – including businesses like CrossFit Abode – are making the most of connectivity to help keep Darwin humming.
Winnellie, get connected
Connected CrossFit
When the Northern Territory went into lockdown during COVID-19 last year, local fitness business CrossFit Abode moved swiftly to run its sessions online.
“We transitioned the business completely over a two-week period using technology and the nbn™ [network],” says Cobi Head, Managing Director at CrossFit Abode.
Classes were transformed to a Zoom-based experience throughout the pandemic, with sessions streamed from the Swan Crescent premises to more than 130 member homes.
And while it may have been a quick pivot, the popular Winnellie business is no stranger to making the most of connectivity and technology.
The right fit
Connected to services over the nbn™ network since 2017, CrossFit Abode has increasingly introduced technology into its gym service experience.
This includes installing digital wall displays connected to a cloud-based fitness system to show leader boards, interactive videos, and workouts.
It’s also implemented a self-service check-in; an audio system connected to Spotify to control music and playlists for members; and a self-service, cloud-based Point of Sale system integrated with client accounts for easy one-touch payments.
And to enable free Wi-Fi for gym members – and their little ones using connected devices in the play area – CrossFit Abode recently upgraded to a plan based on the close to 1000/400Mbps wholesale speed tier via its phone and internet provider, in addition to upgrading the gym’s router and firewall.*
“Without nbn™, our technology integrations would have been significantly limited, reducing the value proposition to our customers,” says Cobi.*
Innovating through challenges
“Operating a business in the Top End of Australia comes with its own unique trials, even without an unexpected disruption like COVID.
“Crossfit Abode used the nbn™ network and technology to maintain its business and take an entrepreneurial approach under truly difficult circumstances. Top End tough!”
To help make things a little easier on Top End businesses, Darwin was recently announced as one of 240 business nbn™ fibre zones across the country.
Part of nbn’s commitment to lifting Australia’s small and medium business capability, eligible businesses in Darwin will be able to take advantage of reduced pricing for business nbn™ Enterprise Ethernet, accessing the same premium grade services and wholesale prices as those in the centre of our biggest cities.†
For Darren Gore, CEO at Winnellie-based Calibre One – a business nbn™ accredited adviser – the benefits are already clear.
“nbn™ fibre has enabled many of the businesses we work with to both optimise and transform their businesses.
“Connectivity is critical in the adoption of technologies like cloud services, the Internet of Things, and fully automated systems.
“By moving to the nbn™ network, businesses in the Northern Territory have been better able to capture new opportunity and thrive when faced with a challenging environment.”*
Focusing locally for locals
nbn™ Local is focused on strengthening our commitment to regional Australia, and boosting efforts to lift the digital capability of regional and remote areas across the country.
Just some of the ways we’re strengthening our commitment to regional Australia include:
- investing more than $2 billion in improving nbn's infrastructure in regional Australia to help homes and businesses in these areas access higher wholesale broadband speeds and greater network capabilities
- providing localised solutions for a network better suited to regional Australia through our on-the-ground teams working within regional communities
- working with industry groups to enhance what's possible in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and more
* nbn is very happy with Cobi and Darren’s experiences with the nbn™ network. Of course, experiences may vary. Regardless of the retail service you purchase, the actual wholesale speeds will be less than 1000 Mbps due to equipment and network limitations. Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network depends on the nbn™ access network technology and configuration over which services are delivered to your premises, whether you are using the internet during the busy period, and some factors outside nbn’s control like equipment quality, software, broadband plan, signal reception and how your service provider designs its network. Speeds may also be impacted by the number of concurrent users on the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network, including during busy periods. Satellite end customers may also experience latency.
† nbn is a wholesaler and does not control costs charged by service providers. Customers should contact their preferred service provider to ask about their fees and charges.
Last updated on 01 September 2021