Construction of the NBN began in 2013 and is an Australian national wholesale open-access data network project with both wired, and radio communication components being rolled out and operated by NBN Co Limited.

There was a 160 per cent increase in complaints about services under the NBN and a 43.5 per cent rise in dissatisfaction with Telstra by frustrated customers. This is a spike of 158,016 in complaints to the TIO in the past financial year.

Just under 50 per cent of all complaints were about Telstra, while another 20 per cent concerned the NBN, found the Ombudsman's 2016/2017 annual report, released on October 17, 2017.

It showed consumers are paying a big price for the rollout of the national network and that Australian satisfaction with their phone and internet service has reached a five-year low.

On the Mid North Coast, there were customers on each side of the fence, including locations such as Dunbogan and Port Macquarie.

Some businesses in the Port Macquarie CBD have also raised concerns about work processes and footpath damage by NBN workers.

Chantelle Ansell and her husband, Dan, live in Dunbogan and are satisfied with the service so far.

“We are with Telstra and pay $99 a month. It was via email about transferring over so we did, and it was very simple,” she said.

“We have found the connection to be great. We have two phones, a laptop, TV and a tablet connected and it has always worked.”

Shane Williams of Lake Innes was also pleased with the NBN service he has received.

“The set up was a bit of a hassle as none of the NBN providers work on the lines, so it always has to be referred,” he said.

“We also didn’t have a phone line so that held us up a bit. I found an Australian company that offers super fast speeds and unlimited downloads and despite dropping out once it has been perfect.”

Works continue to residential areas on the Mid North Coast and in the central business district, with some premises still months away from connection.

Port Macquarie woman Kim Staples said she was informed her house was eligible for NBN but has had constant problems.

“We have had issues with our phone lines when it rains. We have a telephone pit outside our place that is cracked and full of weeds,” she said.

“The dilemma we are going through with the NBN is they now own the Telstra pits. The person who came out could not speak English very well and somehow reported our connection was fine.”

Mrs Staples said they contacted Telstra who ran a line test that showed up faulty.

“Telstra organised for NBN to come out and fix it, which they did. But again he could not speak very good English so we could not communicate with him,” she said.

“He said he fixed it but again it is not. What hope do we have when NBN is connected?

“We are trying to get this fixed before it is connected so we won't have any troubles but I can't see that happening.”