NBN contractors put legal action over Tasmanian rollout on hold (ABC)

Tasmanian civil contractors are postponing legal action against the company rolling out the National Broadband Network, but have asked for government help.

They are accusing Visionstream of misleading them about the amount of work on offer.

They were planning a class action but contractor Andrew Bullock says it is on hold while the Premier, Will Hodgman, looks at the case.

Two of the biggest contractors are in talks with the new Premier about getting more work on the NBN, or compensation.

Mr Bullock says Mr Hodgman has only a few weeks to help.

"We've pretty well put it to the Premier now that if we don't get some sort of State Government intervention, there's going to be more job losses and more people putting pressure on Centrelink," he said.

"If we can't get some kind of assistance from the State Government, if our two businesses fold, it'll take 80 to 85 jobs with it."

Contractors are keeping the pressure on, saying legal action is still an option.

Mr Hodgman says he is lobbying the Federal Government on behalf of Tasmanian contractors who believe they have been short-changed.

"We are actively pursuing opportunities for those workers to have their voice heard, to lobby obviously the Federal Government and make representations on their behalf," the Premier said.

"But obviously the Federal Government has to deal with an appalling legacy left by the Labor Government in Canberra."

Visionstream denies the contractors' claims, saying commercial contracts did not include a guarantee of work.

Next rollout phase detailed

NBN Co has announced the next 10 locations in Tasmania to get the NBN.

Construction is beginning in areas including George Town, Riverside, Port Sorell and Ellendale.

More than 4,000 people live in the 10 areas.

NBN Co spokeswoman Lalla Mackenzie says some will have fibre connections while others will have fixed wireless networks installed.

"In southern Tasmania we have communities such as Ellendale, we'll be announcing Bell Bay to receive fibre, Low Head, Beachhead, Riverside will be receiving fibre, Bridgenorth, places like that," she said.

"So any fibre community, it roughly takes 18 months to construct that community.

"The fixed wireless communities, it doesn't take as long to roll out because we don't need to take fibre to each of the premises.

"So they can expect to be operational about six months after we announce."

The old copper network is set to be decommissioned in George Town, Deloraine, St Helens, Triabunna, Sorell and Kingston Beach.

With five weeks, there are still 1,200 people yet to switch to the new fibre network.

People need to manually switch accounts, or face problems.

EFTPOS machines will not work and medical alarms will automatically switch off, as well as landline phones.

"I would encourage, if you live beside an elderly resident or someone that wouldn't normally know about the switch, go and knock on their door and let them know to make the switch as soon as possible," Ms Mackenzie said.

The cut off date is May 23.

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