THE National Broadband Network is gaining momentum in the South Coast region as NBN Co on Wednesday unveiled the local government areas where planning proposals will be lodged to provide local farms, homes and businesses access to fast broadband – including the Bega Valley.
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Subject to final planning and other approvals, NBN Co plans to deliver access to fast broadband via its fixed wireless network to parts of the Bega Valley, Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla council areas, with facilities currently expected to be switched on in stages starting from mid-2015.
Over the coming months, NBN Co and its design and construction partners will work with local governments to identify appropriate locations for fixed wireless network infrastructure in and around the South Coast area.
NBN Co spokesman Michael Tyler said the fixed-wireless service can bring access to better broadband to the bush.
“More farms, residents and businesses can look forward to having access to faster internet with the NBN expanding its broadband footprint in NSW’s South Coast region,” Mr Tyler said.
“For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications.
“The fixed wireless service is designed to provide access to internet speeds and bandwidth that many in the big cities currently take for granted.
"The NBN also means you can get the whole family on line at once, opening up opportunities for local farms, businesses and the wider region to participate in the digital age.
“Fast broadband can help deliver improved access to health, education and entertainment over high quality video links.”
The announcement was welcomed by Member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy.
“I am very pleased to note that this much-needed infrastructure will offer retail service providers download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second - the download speed promised by the Coalition during the federal election last year,” Dr Hendy said.
“This is good news for the South Coast.”
NBN Co’s wholesale fixed wireless service offers retail service providers download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to 5 megabits per second.
NBN Co also plans to deliver these wholesale speeds to retail service providers over satellite in rural and remote areas with its Long Term Satellite Service (currently scheduled for 2015).
For further information about NBN Co and construction plans, visit www.nbnco.com.au.
