Armidale the first Region in Australia to complete the transition to the nbn™ network

Armidale is the first region in mainland Australia to be switched to the nbn™ network, with the final legacy disconnection occurring at the end of January 2016.

Work in the city began in 2010 with migration to the nbn™ occurring progressively since May 2014.

The final disconnection means around 12,000 residents and businesses in the town now have access to fast and reliable broadband through the nbn™. Another 2,000 premises in the outlying areas also have access to the nbn™ through the world leading fixed wireless technology.

Kelly Stevens, nbn™ spokesperson said:

“Armidale was the first area in Australia to connect and now they’re making history again by being the first to complete the transition.

“This is a very exciting and proud moment for nbn as it really shows that we’re well on our way to connecting 8 million homes and business by 2020.

“Armidale is a shining light in terms of utilising the nbn™ network for the benefit of the region and certainly a success story that we share with other regions.   

“It has developed itself as a centre of excellence in education and promoting digital business through the availability of high speed broadband. Its long term strategy for growth also centres on supporting business development and digital enterprise.

“The hard work has been recognised, being named by the Global Intelligent Community Forum as one of the worlds’ 21 Smart Communities of 2016.”  

Armidale is now in the running for the prestigious Intelligent Community of the Year that will be announced in June 2016.

Nearly 1.65 million homes and businesses throughout Australia are able to connect with 756,000 already enjoying the benefits of fast and reliable broadband through the nbn™ network. 

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Media enquiries:

Kelly Stevens	nbn™ Media Hotline
Mobile: 0409 462 009 Email: kellystevens@nbnco.com.au	Phone:(02) 9927-4200 Email: media@nbnco.com.au

 

Notes to editors

• nbn™ is building a new, fast wholesale broadband network which will be available to all communities across Australia. Our goal is to connect eight million homes and businesses by 2020.
• Fast broadband delivered over the nbn™ network can provide a range of benefits for Australians such as opportunities to work from home, access to online education tools and options for on-demand entertainment.
• Services provided over the nbn™ network will be replacing phone and internet services provided over most of the existing landline networks, including copper and the majority of HFC networks within the fixed line footprint.  Services provided over existing fibre networks (including in-building, health and education networks) and some special and business services may not be affected. To find out if your services will be affected, please contact your current phone or internet provider.  For more information, visit www.nbnco.com.au/switchoff or call 1800 687 626.
• End-user experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network, depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end-user’s service provider designs its network