NBN to begin working with local councils on network design and rollout

More communities across regional Victoria will soon get access to fast broadband as NBN Co begins working with local councils around the planning of new fixed wireless facilities in parts of the following council areas:

East Gippsland Shire Council	Rural City of Swan Hill	Greater Shepparton City Council
Wellington Shire Council	Shire of Campaspe	Gannawarra Shire Council
Mildura Rural City Council	Loddon Shire Council	Moira Shire Council

This marks the beginning of the consultation process with the community and at this point the number of fixed wireless facilities and their locations are yet to be finalised.

NBN Co spokesperson, Corrie Withers said:

“Today’s announcement demonstrates the rollout of the NBN is continuing momentum in regional Victoria – and with it comes many economic and social opportunities for local communities.

“Fast broadband can give residents access to e-health services, distance education and entertainment on demand and we have seen examples of businesses demonstrating an increase in productivity, reduction of costs and access new markets.”*

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.*

Unlike a mobile wireless service, where speeds can be affected by the number of people moving into and out of the area, NBN Co's fixed wireless network is engineered to deliver a consistent and reliable service to a fixed number of premises within a coverage area.

Victoria currently has more than 62,000** homes, farms and businesses connected to the NBN.  Build preparation and construction activities are also underway to deliver the NBN to an additional 146,000 homes, farms and businesses across the state.

Media enquiries

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

Grant Thomas
P: 02 8918 5853
M: 0417 554 787
E: grantthomas@nbnco.com.au

Notes to editors

• 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.
• 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 signal quality 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.

 *NBN Co’s designing the NBN to provide the stated speeds to its wholesale customers, 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.

**Premises activated are reported in the NBN Rollout information weekly summary – www.nbnco.com.au/weeklyprogressreport