NBN rollout expands across 17 new rural and regional communities

More than 5,500 Australian farms, homes and businesses across Australia can now switch to broadband services over the National Broadband Network (NBN) after the fixed wireless network recently went live in parts of the following 17 rural and regional communities.

NSW Central West Molong (surrounds) Windera  Cowra (surrounds) March Orange (surrounds) Stuart Town Koorawatha Mid North Coast Bonville

NSW Hunter Valley Merriwa Riverina West Wyalong (surrounds) Culcairn (surrounds) Junee (surrounds) The Rock Mangoplah Young (surrounds)

WA South East  Boyanup TAS Northern Tasmania Port Sorell (surrounds)

This continues the momentum of the NBN rollout with the fixed wireless footprint now covering more than 124,000 farms, homes and businesses nationally, including more than 22,000 premises currently connected to services over the NBN’s fixed wireless network.*

NBN Co spokesperson, Tony Gibbs said:

“Today’s announcement highlights how the NBN is helping to close the digital divide in regional Australia – and with that comes many economic and social opportunities for local communities.

“Fast broadband enables residents to access e-health services, distance education and entertainment on demand, while businesses now have the ability to increase productivity, reduce costs and access new markets,”** Mr Gibbs said.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map to find out if their premise is included in the current coverage footprint.  If their premise is in the footprint and passes the signal quality test, it’s just three easy steps before they can start enjoying the benefits of high speed broadband over the NBN.

Three-Step Guide to connecting to NBN Fixed Wireless

Step 1: Order a service

Contact your preferred telephone company or internet service provider to book-in a signal quality test and order a service over the NBN.

Step 2: Installation

If your premise can receive a good quality fixed wireless signal, your service provider will arrange for NBN Co to install and test an outdoor antenna on your roof and a connection box inside your home – both are currently free of charge for a standard installation.

Step 3: Connect to the NBN

Once tested, 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.html

Media enquiries

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

Notes to editors

• NBN Co’s fixed wireless network is 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 network is designed to provide 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.  We’re designing the NBN to provide these speeds to our wholesale customers, telephone and internet service providers. End user experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN, depends on the technology over which services are delivered to an end user’s premises and 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 and businesses should ask their preferred service provider if they have any other fees.
• For more information visit www.nbnco.com.au

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

** Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.