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NBN Co announces fixed wireless broadband plans for Tasmania

14 June 2012

NBN Co announces fixed wireless broadband plans for Tasmania

The company building Australia's national broadband network, NBN Co, has 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.

“For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications,” Community Relations Adviser Lalla Hinds said today.

“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 change that.

“Subject to final radio frequency planning and other approvals the fixed wireless network plans to cover up to 32,000 premises across 27 local government areas (see attached list), and is expected to be switched on in stages from around mid to late 2013,” she 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 or older satellite systems.

“Faster, more reliable internet aims to deliver speeds and services that city people take for granted. It will also mean telehealth consultations, video conferencing, interactive lessons and live collaboration with teachers and students here and abroad can become a reality.

“NBN Co's fixed wireless network is designed to offer internet service providers with wholesale access speeds of up to 12Mbps, with plans for higher speeds to become available in the future.*

“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.

“Whether you live in the regional centre or further out, NBN Co is committed to providing high-speed broadband access to every Australian home and business,” Ms Hinds concluded.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Holly Hearne

Phone: 02 8918 8408
Mobile: 0427 957 393
hollyhearne@nbnco.com.au

Victoria Daly
Phone: 02 9213 2339
Mobile: 0421 184 491

Notes to Editors

  • The National Broadband Network is designed to provide high-speed broadband access to 100% of premises - approximately 93% of premises by fibre, and the remaining seven per cent via fixed wireless or satellite.
  • NBN Co plans to install fibre in towns of 1000 premises or more, or to some towns with as few as 500 premises where the town is located on an NBN fibre transit link.
  • NBN Co's fixed wireless and satellite networks will serve communities with low population density where it is impractical or uneconomical to roll out fibre optic cable.
  • 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.
  • A standard installation of network equipment, including an outdoor antenna and a network termination device will be free of charge.
  • Before the network equipment is installed a service validation test will be carried out, those premises which are unable to be served by fixed wireless will receive NBN Co's Long Term 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

* 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
* Updated 18 July 2012


List of Council's where fixed wireless planning proposals are expected to be lodged


Northern Tasmania

Break O'Day Council
Burnie City Council
Central Coast Council
Central Highlands Council
Circular Head Council
Devonport City Council
Dorset Council
George Town Council
Glamorgan/Spring Bay Council
Kentish Council
Latrobe Council
Launceston City Council
Meander Valley Council
Northern Midlands Council
Waratah/Wynyard Council
West Coast Council
West Tamar Council

Southern Tasmania


Brighton Council
Central Highlands Council
Clarence City Council
Derwent Valley Council
Glenorchy City Council
Hobart City Council
Huon Valley Council
Kingborough Council
Sorell Council
Southern Midlands Council
Tasman Council

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NBN Co announces fixed wireless broadband plans for Tasmania The company building Australia's national broadband network, NBN Co, has today unveiled the local government areas where planning proposals will be lodged to deliver high-speed fixed wireless broadband.

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