Cairns switches on to the National Broadband Network
Superfast broadband to help power tourism in Tropical North Queensland
The National Broadband Network was switched on in central Cairns this morning. The superfast fibre network now passes 2700 homes and businesses in the city, Bungalow, Cairns North, Manunda, Parramatta Park, Portsmith and Westcourt.
An area covering an additional 2900 premises is expected to go live in the coming months and the rollout footprint is set to widen further when construction commences later this year for an area expanding as far north as Palm Cove^.
At a ceremony on The Esplanade to mark the occasion, local stakeholders said the NBN would deliver multiple benefits both to families and the wider Tropical North Queensland economy.
“As the world goes digital, the NBN is a great way to ensure all Australians, no matter where they live, get access to world class broadband,” said Sandra Harding, Vice Chancellor of James Cook University and a member of Broadband for the Tropics Committee:
“The NBN enables families and businesses to have multiple people online at the same time - working, video conferencing or simply watching TV over the internet without the slowdowns.*
According to Rosie Douglas, Director Business Events for Tourism Tropical North Queensland, better broadband would also open up new opportunities for the region’s tourism industry to grow^^.
“The NBN will help bring the magic of our reef, rainforest and other attractions to the rest of Australia, and the world, with a more effective delivery of rich, highly-engaging content via the internet,” Ms Douglas said.
“It is a powerful tool for local businesses to reach both national and international audiences, allowing for greater efficiencies throughout their overall marketing communications.”*
Ryan Williams, NBN Co Community Relations Manager for Queensland said, “Every phone company and internet service provider has equal access to the network and NBN Co's wholesale prices are the same in the city and the bush.”
The nationwide rollout of the NBN is due to be completed by 2021. NBN fibre currently has construction commenced for more than 36,000 premises in Queensland. Construction is expected to commence for 934,300 premises in the state by mid-2016.^
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MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Andy Lee
0417 575 958
Kate Russell
0417 776 565
NOTES TO EDITORS
- Eligible Cairns residents can order an NBN service from one of 3 phone and internet service providers http://www.nbnco.com.au/get-an-nbn-connection/certified-service-providers.html
- Follow the NBN rollout at http://www.nbnco.com.au/when-do-i-get-it/rollout-map.html
- 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 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. For a list of existing services in fibre-covered areas that are not replaced by the NBN visit www.nbnco.com.au/switch or call on 1800 687 626
* 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.
^ Construction commenced means that NBN Co has issued contract instruction to its construction partners, so they can commence work on the detailed design, field inspections and rodding / roping activities in an area.
^^ Queensland Drive Tourism Strategy 2013–2015:
“The rollout of the NBN provides Queensland tourism businesses with the opportunity to transform the way they work and how they market and deliver experiences. The NBN will drive growth in broadband access and provide the industry with an opportunity to reduce costs, increase efficiencies, grow and become more sustainable. The NBN will particularly enhance the capability of businesses in regional and remote areas.”
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