Skip to the article content

Western Australia switches onto superfast broadband

10 July 2013

Western Australia is on the National Broadband Network.

The NBN was officially switched on today in Victoria Park, Mandurah and Geraldton, the first three established communities in the state that are able to experience the benefits of superfast fibre optic broadband.

The NBN now passes more than 3000 homes and businesses across the three localities (1679 in Victoria Park, 937 in Mandurah and 573 in Geraldton), with the rollout set to extend to a further 8350 premises in these areas over the coming months.

Eligible families and business owners can choose an NBN service from a range of phone companies and internet service providers, with packages comparable to existing plans and the prospect of faster speeds and greater capacity over the fibre.

According to NBN Co’s Community Relations Manager for WA, Peter Gurney, superfast broadband opens up a world of opportunities for families across the state and across Australia.

“People on the NBN are discovering they can work from home like they would from the office, get all the family online at once and stream TV over the internet without constant stuttering and buffering. It also offers the prospect of bringing families and friends across this vast state closer together,”* Mr.Gurney said.

It is a sentiment echoed by Nicole Ashby, Director of FIFO Families, a support network for fly-in, fly-out workers and their partners in WA.

“Having access to high speed broadband presents so many opportunities for our members to stay in touch with their loved ones all across the state in ways we haven’t been able to before,” Ms Ashby said.

“Western Australia is the fastest growing state for FIFO workers, so it’s fantastic that options like high-definition video calls over the NBN are now available to make it feel like you’re sitting face to face with your loved ones.*

“People talk a lot about how the NBN can strengthen businesses but it can also empower families to take advantage of new technology to shorten the distance between them and their loved ones.”

The rollout of the NBN is due to be completed by 2021. It is already up and running in new housing developments in WA where fibre optic broadband is being installed in developments with more than 100 lots and in rural and remote locations via satellite and fixed-wireless.

- ends -

MEDIA INQUIRIES:   

Press Office

(02) 9213 2322

Andy Lee

Mobile: 0417 757 958

 

Notes to Editors

  • Follow the NBN rollout at www.nbnco.com.au/when-do-i-get-it/index.html
  • Construction commences when NBN Co issues contract instruction to its construction partners, so they can commence work on the detailed design, field inspections and rodding / roping activities in an area.
  • The rollout of the NBN follows a series of design principles that aim to deliver a high-speed broadband network in an efficient and cost-effective manner. These principles include first extending the network in areas where work has already begun; balancing construction across states and territories and between metropolitan and regional locations; and making use of available exchange and transit infrastructure as it becomes available.
  • NBN Co does not charge consumers for a standard installation of NBN equipment in a home or business. Consumers should speak to their service provider to see if they have any other charges such as set up or activation fees. All Australian homes and businesses within the fibre footprint will ultimately need to access voice and internet services over the NBN as existing landline phone, ADSL internet and Telstra and Optus cable internet services are progressively switched off##.
  • NBN Co is rolling out the fibre network in a series of modules each of which passes around 2000-3000 premises.  NBN Co will generally continue construction of new modules adjacent to existing construction locations until the entire fibre footprint in an area has been completed.

*     End user experience including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN depends on some factors outside our control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how their service provider designs its network.

##      For a list of existing services that are not replaced by the NBN visit www.nbnco.com.au/switch or call us on 1800 687 626

 

National Broadband Network fibre footprint

Mandurah

 

Victoria Park

 

Geraldton

 

For more detailed information visit www.nbnco.com.au/when-do-i-get-it/index.html.

These maps shows the estimated likely coverage areas based on the current rollout schedule.

Downloads

Western Australia switches onto superfast broadband

Download (PDF - 498 KB)