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11,900 more families and business can now switch to the NBN

12 December 2014

This media release was accurate at the date of publication. Some of the information in this media release may no longer be accurate and it is provided for educational and historical purposes only. We recommend that you make your own inquiries before relying on this information.

NBN rollout builds momentum across rural and regional Australia

An additional 11,900 more homes, farms and businesses across Australia can now switch to the National Broadband Network (NBN) after services recently went live across 42 rural and regional communities.

Construction has also commenced to extend the network to a further 12,400 more homes, farms and businesses across 60 communities which will be able to connect to the NBN in the coming 12 months.

This continues the momentum of the NBN rollout with the national footprint now covering more than 146,000 farms, homes and businesses across rural and regional Australia.

NBN Co spokesperson, Tony Gibbs said:

“The rollout of the NBN is gaining momentum across the country, providing homes and businesses with access to internet speeds and bandwidth that many in the big cities take for granted.

“The NBN also helps create many economic and social opportunities for country communities.  It can help residents access e-health services, distance education and entertainment on demand, whilst businesses have the ability to increase productivity, reduce costs and access new markets,” Mr Gibbs said.

Below outlines the rural and regional communities where the NBN became ready for service and commenced construction.

New communities where the NBN is now ready for service

State

Region

Parts of towns covered

New South Wales

Central West

Summer Hill Creek, Cargo, Cudal, Canowindra (surrounds), Eugowra, Gooloogong

New England

Manilla (surrounds), Barraba, Gilgai, Inverell (surrounds)

Murray

Jindera

Northern Rivers

Alstonville (surrounds), Dalwood, Meerschaum Vale, Tuckombil, Tregeagle, Woodburn (surrounds), Goolmangar, South Gunderimba

Mid-North Coast

Eungai Creek

Queensland

South East

Mapleton (surrounds), North Arm, Browns Creek, Cooloolabin, Eumundi West, Pomona (surrounds), Black Mountain (surrounds), Cooroy (surrounds), Tinbeerwah West, Toogoolawah (surrounds)

Wide Bay Burnett

Gayndah (surrounds)

North Queensland

Inkerman

South Australia

Murray and Mallee

Mannum (surrounds)

Limestone Coast

Penola (surrounds

Victoria

Loddon Mallee

Elphinstone, Taradale

Grampians

Haven

Gippsland

Yanakie

Western Australia

Wheatbelt

Beverley (surrounds), Narrogin (surrounds), Williams

Tasmania

Northern

Elizabeth Town

Estimated total number of premises covered:

11,900

 

New communities where construction has begun

State

Region

Parts of towns covered

New South Wales

Central West

Perthville, Lyndhurst, Dunedoo, Lightning Ridge (surrounds)

Mid-North Coast

Copmanhurst, Grafton (surrounds), Woodford Island, Sapphire Beach (surrounds)

Murray

Tocumwal (surrounds), Walla Walla

Northern Rivers

Duranbah

Queensland

Far North

Bramston Beach, Paddy’s Green, Julatten

Wide Bay-Burnett

Cordalba, Buxton, Dundowran

South East

Bli Bli (surrounds)

Darling Downs

Ravensbourne

Victoria

North East

Chiltern (surrounds), Rutherglen (surrounds), Yackandandah, Mansfield (surrounds), Merrijig, Springhurst, Glenrowan, Milawa, Wangaratta (surrounds)

Murray

Yarrawonga (surrounds), Baranduda (surrounds)

South West

Caramut, Port Fairy (surrounds), Tower Hill, Woolsthorpe

Northern

Kurting, Lockington

Grampians

Streatham, Warracknabeal (surrounds)

Greater Melbourne

Bayles

South Australia

Yorke Peninsula

Bute, Price, Port Rickaby, Hardwicke Bay, Point Turton

Yorke and Mid North

Crystal Brook (surrounds), Port Wakefield, Brinkworth

Murray and Mallee

Kingston on Murray, Mount McKenzie, Swan Reach

Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island

Penneshaw, American River, Kingscote (surrounds)

Barossa

Nuriootpa (surrounds)

Western Australia

Greater Southern

Cranbrook, Shadforth

South West

North Greenbushes, Ambergate

Tasmania

Northern

Swansea (surrounds), Lilydale

Estimated total number of premises covered:

12,400

 

Media enquiries

NBN Co Media Hotline
P: 02 9927 4200
E: media@nbnco.com.au

Notes to editors

  • Residents can check if their home or business is in an NBN coverage area at nbnco.com.au/maps. Connect in just three easy steps to start enjoying the benefits of high speed broadband:

Step 1: Order a service

o    Contact your preferred telephone company or internet service provider to order a service over the NBN.

Step 2: Installation

o    Your service provider will arrange an appointment for NBN Co to test your premises and, if successful, install an outdoor antenna on your roof and a connection box inside your home at the same time – both are currently free of charge for a standard installation.

Step 3: Connect to the NBN

o    Once installed, within 24 hours residents should be able to connect their service provider’s modem to the internal NBN Connection Box to begin experiencing the many benefits of fast broadband.  For further details on connecting to the NBN fixed wireless network, visit: www.nbnco.com.au/fixed-wireless

  • NBN Co’s fixed wireless facilities are designed to service less densely populated communities across Australia such as small towns and villages and the outer surrounds of major townships.
  • NBN Co’s fixed wireless service offers wholesale download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second and wholesale upload speeds of up to five megabits per second to telephone and internet service providers.
  • End user experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN, depends on some factors outside NBN Co’s control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s service provider designs its network.
  • Fixed wireless services are delivered by radio communications via antennas that transmit a signal direct to a small outdoor antenna on your home or business.
  • Before the network equipment is installed a service validation test will be carried out.  Those premises which are unable to be served by fixed wireless may be able to receive NBN Co’s long term satellite service when it becomes available.  Visit www.nbnco.com.au/satellite for more information.
  • In fixed wireless areas copper phone lines will remain in place to provide a landline telephone service, if the end user chooses to use it.
  • A standard installation of NBN equipment is currently free of charge. Residents should ask their preferred service provider if they have any other fees.
  • Figures referenced in this release relate to the NBN Co’s fixed wireless rollout.
  • Premises activated as reported in the NBN Rollout information weekly summary – www.nbnco.com.au/weeklyprogressreport