The Next Generation National Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) is a fibre broadband network spearheaded by the Government. The speed of the connections at homes will be as high as 100Mbps, while speeds at offices, schools and hospitals can reach up to 1Gbps, which is 10 times faster than speeds typically available today. The new network is expected to completely replace the current broadband network within seven years. When that happens, it is expected to change how people live, work, and learn. One of the new services expected is “home telemedicine”, where patients are able to consult doctors without even leaving their homes. High-definition video conferencing may also become more popular, reducing the need for workers to travel long distances to meet with colleagues or clients overseas. This article is from My Paper, June 17 2009.