The company building Australia's National Broadband Network, NBN Co, today unveiled the local government areas where planning proposals will be lodged to deliver high-speed fixed wireless broadband.

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 Gympie and Sunshine Coast area.

"For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications," NBN Co's Community Account Manager, Ryan Williams said.

"NBN Co's plan to deliver high-speed broadband to every Australian premises using one of three technologies - fibre, fixed wireless and satellite - aims to help change that.

"Subject to final planning and other approvals, the fixed wireless network plans to cover parts of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Gympie Regional Council areas and it is expected facilities will start to be switched on in stages from late 2014," he said.

"This announcement is tremendous news for these regions, many of which have little or no access to high-speed broadband, or those confined to a limited service, such as dial-up or broadband over the mobile network.

"Fixed wireless aims to deliver speeds and services that city people take for granted. With services delivered over the NBN you can download a movie in minutes, enjoy video calls with fewer drop outs, and get the whole family on line at once*, all at a price that is less than what you might think," Mr Williams said.

NBN Co's fixed wireless network is designed to offer internet service providers with wholesale access speeds of up to 25/5Mbps.**

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 services to a fixed number of premises within a coverage area.

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Notes to editors

• The National Broadband Network is designed to provide high-speed broadband access to 100% of premises - around 93% of premises by fibre, and the remainder via fixed wireless or satellite.

• As a general rule communities with more than 1,000 premises, and some centres with even fewer premises if they are close to supporting network infrastructure, are due to be served by fibre.

• NBN Co's fixed wireless and satellite networks will serve communities with low population density where it is impractical or uneconomical to rollout fibre optic cable.

• Fixed wireless services are delivered by radio communications via antennae that transmit a signal direct to a small outdoor antenna on a home or business.

• A standard installation of network equipment, including an outdoor antenna and a network termination device will be installed free of charge.

• Before the network equipment is installed, a service validation test will be carried out. Those premises unable to be serviced by fixed wireless will receive NBN Co's Long Term Satellite Service.

• Residents unable to access the fixed wireless service will be able to connect via NBN Co's satellite service. Residents in certain areas may already be able to access the NBN Interim Satellite Service.

• In fixed wireless areas, copper phone lines will remain in place to provide a telephone service.

• For more information visit www.nbnco.com.au or call the NBN Co Contact Centre on 1800 OUR NBN (1800 687 626)

* Your experience depends on some factors outside our control, like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.

** NBN Co is designing the NBN to be capable of delivering these speeds to NBN Co's wholesale customers (internet service providers). Speeds achieved and applications received by retail customers will depend on a number of factors including the quality of their equipment and in-premises connection, the broadband plans offered by their service provider and how their service provider designs its network to cater for multiple end users

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