What is clear is that the network has become much more than a niche, geeky issue - the outcome of last year's federal election exemplified the need to embrace all Australians in the major decisions yet to be made, rather than a select few.

But the current ambivalent attitude from many toward the project - "it's good, but it could be better" - may not yield the high short-term take-up NBN Co hopes will justify the $43 billion spend.