Visualisation Project

Patrick Bruce and Mark Thompson

What is the invisible entity?

❖ We were interested in the NBN rollout.

❖ Timing, location, and method of connection

❖ Inspired by a reading about ‘hot spots’ for aeroplane routes.

To what extent does it pre-exist our making it visible?

❖ While the data itself already existed, it was dull. It wasn’t interesting, it wasn’t well explained, it was directed towards an audience with technical knowledge of the topic.

❖ Opportunity to be simplified.

❖ The NBN website only shows you a map of coverage if you search for an address then make the map full screen and expand it to show the country. This isn’t convenient, this isn’t practical.

❖ Further, the NBN website isn’t great at showing the different kinds of services, where they will be implemented and what will be implemented.

To what extent does it pre-exist our making it visible?

❖ Obviously, the internet is ‘invisible’, as will be aspects of the NBN. Besides things such as cables etc.

❖ After comparing data available to us from the ESAA (The Energy Supply Association of Australia) as well as telecommunication companies, we used an ‘energy usage’ satellite photo of Australia to very literally show usage in comparison to the NBN.

What difference does it make to publish such a visualisation?

❖ While this kind of data exists, we wanted to publish it in a visual sense.

❖ The difference this makes is that the data is not shown in a very ‘dry’ way, but rather shown simply, literally and without a required knowledge of technology or policy.

❖ Provides a rudimentary understanding of the extent the NBN will cover Australia.

In which publics does such a visualisation intervene?

❖ Debate still continues about the NBN both in Government and in the media, while many consumers are unaware of when it will reach them or if it ever will.

❖ Consumers are further unaware of how the NBN will provide service to their area

❖ Again, the NBN website is not overly helpful unless you know what you’re looking for.

❖ These are the publics in which our visualisation intervenes.

Why is it needed?

❖ Anyone can understand it, and see what is actually happening and where connections are being made.

❖ Visually unpleasing.

❖ Better comparison of energy usage, power etc.

The Story

❖ Energy and usage of the NBN rollout.

❖ Timing, location, and method of connection

❖ Benefits of connections like this running the expanse of the country

❖ Providing information of the NBN without seeming boring or ‘dry’.

Websites

❖ http://www.nbnco.com.au/

❖ http://www.esaa.com.au/policy/data_and_statistics-_energy_in_australia

❖ http://www.itnews.com.au/News/221468,nbn-coverage-maps-reveal-93-percent-fibre-footprint.aspx

Thanks for your time