Aaron Shuker has been using an unreliable and expensive 4G wireless modem since he and his family moved into their Thornton home two years ago.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The information technology professional says it has been disheartening to see the National Broadband Network delivered to areas of the Hunter, such as Morpeth and East Maitland, that are less in need of internet infrastructure than Thornton.
Mr Shuker does not have access to ADSL internet at his Bauer Close home and his suburb does not feature on NBN Co’s map of future work.
But he hopes Thornton will be considered when the organisation creates its next three-year rollout plan.
“I’ve just had a collapse this week where I’ve lost my email server for seven days so far,” he said.
“It’s my career and it’s a little bit hard when you’re trying to raise a young family as well.
“I’ve got a wife who runs a business with her mum and they can’t even access things like Facebook or Instagram to promote themselves more.”
Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said the internet situation was dire for many Thornton residents.
“I know a nurse who climbs on her roof with a dongle [internet thumb drive modem] in her laptop to access her work roster,” she said.
“The argument was that areas in the greatest need would be attended to [with the NBN rollout] with the highest priority.
“But these people are being bypassed altogether.”