NBN have got the last laugh at the Broadband World Forum revealing that the big carrier is well and truly capable of shifting big data for users with one OZ user downloading 23 terabytes in a month.

CTO Ray Owen told the audience that the NBN now shifts 28 petabytes of data every day, with average user consuming 213 GB a month and the top 30% of fibre customers consuming more than a terabyte.

Back in April, the team even noted one user managed to consumer more than 23 terabytes during the month. “We’re not too sure what he was actually doing, but he was definitely having a good time,” joked Owen.

The plan is to get 8 million users on the NBN network by 2020, at a minimum speed of 25 Mbps for all Australians.

Owen told the audience that the NBN network now services 4.4 Aussies, 63% of the target, though meeting the 25 Mbps government-mandated target would take more than fibre.

According to Telecoms.com, a multi-technology mix has been tabled including Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), G. Fast, fibre and satellite to meet these demands. In a country the size of Australia, containing some very hostile environments, 100% fibre penetration is not a realistic goal.

Despite Owen’s claim on progress, it didn’t stop the mocking, Kate McKenzie, CEO of New Zealand wholesale network provider Chorus, revelled in the troubles as evidence of how wonderful she and her business is. She failed to mention that her former employer Telstra where she was COO and employed for over 10 years is suffering and that programs she put into place have fizzled before she took off across the ditch to New Zealand.

CEO Steven Rue told Senate Estimates NBN would still be using the Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) approach until at least 2040. The multi-technology mix has been taking stick, but it is the only genuine option to ensure all Australian citizens are taking into the digital economy together. 100% fibre penetration is not going to be a viable option in the foreseeable future.

Telecoms.com said that the NBN forecasts increased adoption of 4K and 8K video, smart home adoption will increase rapidly, and augmented reality will start to make an impact over the next couple of years, while the business segment will continue to diversify.

Real-time entertainment services are quickly declining, VPN uptake is on the up and file sharing is heading south.

This will not only impact the technology which will be used to facilitate connectivity, but the approach to experience. As you can see from the picture below, the plans have been laid to evolve the network beyond the 2020 deadline.

“What I’m interested in as a CTO is the different technologies which can help improve this customer experience,” said Owen.