Parties bicker over latest NBN plan

The government and Labor are trading blows over the latest rollout plan for the national broadband network.

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield insists the three-year construction schedule is a "concrete, realistic, achievable" plan to meet a full rollout deadline of 2020.

His opposition counterpart Jason Clare is unconvinced, noting most of the rollout is scheduled to take place after the next federal election and would require an exponential increase in delivery.

"The NBN rollout plan (is) a ramp Evel Knievel couldn't jump," he said in a statement.

The latest plan, released by NBN on Friday, forecasts construction will start to connect close to 7.5 million premises over the next three years.

Malcolm Turnbull, who was communications minister before coming prime minister a month ago, welcomed the schedule, saying "good connectivity is absolutely critical in cities".

The NBN was now "cranking up and into gear" as opposed to Labor's time in government when the rollout was so "catastrophically mismanaged".

Mr Turnbull cited figures showing 1.36 million customers were able to get the high-speed broadband service now with construction to connect almost 700,000 premises under way.

For those yet waiting for a connection, NBN has a live map available.

"Over nine million homes across the country can finally see when they're going to get NBN and what technologies are going to be used for them," CEO Bill Morrow told ABC television.

The rollout will use existing cable TV networks in many areas following successful trials in four suburbs across Queensland and NSW this year.

People can check whether their suburb is on the schedule at www.nbnco.com.au/3yearplan

STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWN OF NEW CONNECTIONS WITHIN THREE YEARS:

* NSW 2,214,190

* VIC 2,149,820

* QLD 1,504,480

* SA 617,300

* WA 802,540

* TAS 104,500

* NT 11,300

* ACT 81,200