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 Bendigo region, including Central Victoria and parts of Northern Victoria.

NBN Co's Community Relations Adviser, Tony Gibbs, said: "For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications.

"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 planning and other approvals, the fixed wireless network plans to cover parts of eight council areas (see list below) and it is expected facilities will start to be switched on in stages from late 2013 to 2015," he said.

• Loddon Shire Council
• Macedon Ranges Shire Council
• Mitchell Shire Council
• Mount Alexander Shire Council
• Shire of Campaspe
• Central Goldfields Shire Council
• City of Greater Bendigo
• Hepburn Shire Council

"This announcement is tremendous news for these regions, many of which currently have no access to high-speed broadband, or are 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 movies 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 Gibbs said.

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 broadband service, each fixed wireless facility is designed to serve a specific number of premises. It is expected that this will result in a more reliable and consistent service, because your speed will generally not be affected by the number of people moving in and out of the area.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Holly Hearne
Phone: 02 8918 8408
Mobile: 0427 957 393

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 are due to be served by fibre. Some centres with fewer premises will also be served by fibre if they are close to supporting network infrastructure.

• 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 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)

* The actual end user experience depends on some factors outside NBN Co's control, like the quality of the end user's equipment, software, broadband plans and how the end user's internet 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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