Fast broadband to boost growth in Taree

35,000 premises across the NSW Mid North Coast now able to connect

More than 8,000 additional farms, homes and businesses in Taree and its surrounding communities can now switch to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

This expansion of Taree’s coverage footprint builds on the NBN’s rollout momentum across the NSW Mid North Coast, with more than 35,000 farms, homes and businesses now able to order a service.  Additionally, it brings the NSW total to 72,600 residents and businesses already connected to the network.*

Today’s announcement also starts the official countdown for residents and businesses in parts of the Taree town centre to switch to the NBN before their current phone and internet services are retired.**  Taree follows parts of Coffs Harbour which was the first community on the NSW Mid North Coast to complete the transition to the NBN.

NBN Co spokesperson, Darren Rudd said:

“Today more than 35,000 premises across the NSW Mid-North Coast can connect to the NBN.  This helps residents access e-health, distance education and entertainment on demand, whilst businesses could potentially increase productivity, reduce costs and access new markets.***

“It’s also important for people to know the move to the NBN is not automatic.  So I encourage everyone in the coverage footprint to contact their preferred service provider to get connected to the NBN.”

Greater Taree City Council, Mayor Paul J Hogan said:

“By connecting to the NBN, Taree residents are now able to realise the full potential of the internet – something that’s taken for granted in the major cities.

“The NBN will also help local businesses maximise the tourism potential of the Manning Valley region.  By businesses offering free Wi-Fi to customers, it’s more likely holiday makers will stay longer and promote the region through social networking.”

Manning Valley Business Chamber, Economic Development Manager, Steve Attkins said:

“The Manning Valley has been socio-economically disadvantaged for years.  However, fast broadband over the NBN provides a fresh opportunity to attract new people and businesses – particularly metropolitan companies looking to save costs by relocating to a regional area.”

Cedar Party retired school teacher, Barry Schlenker said:

“Since connecting to the NBN through iiNet my wife and I have experience a faster internet service than ever before.  We are now able to Skype with family and friends as well as do the basics that everyone these days takes for granted – like online banking. 

“It’s also drastically reduced our monthly phone bill.  After we signed up to iiNet’s Netphone plan over the NBN, our local and national phone calls are now much cheaper.”***

The NBN rollout on the NSW Mid North Coast continues to gain momentum with build preparation and construction activities currently underway for an additional 11,200 farms, homes and businesses.

Residents and business across the NSW Mid-North Coast are encouraged to check if their premise is in the NBN coverage footprint at www.nbnco.com.au/check-your-address.html.

Media enquiries

NBN Co Media Hotline
P: 02 9927 4200
E: media@nbnco.com.au

Grant Thomas
M: 0417 554 787
E: grant.thomas@nbnco.com.au

Notes to editors

• More than 35,000 farms, homes and businesses can order services over the NBN across parts of the NSW Mid North Coast including:

Fixed Wireless = FW            Fixed Line = F

• Build preparation and construction activities are currently underway for an additional 11,200 homes and businesses in parts of  the Mid North Coast including:

Fixed Wireless = FW            Fixed Line = F

• On average it takes around 12 months from the start of construction until residents and business owners can receive NBN services from phone and internet providers.
• In fixed line areas, homes and businesses will need to take the following steps to connect to the NBN:

1. Contact your preferred internet service provider or phone company:

a. If you have a medical alarm or alert (or a family member, carer or friend) you are encouraged to register your details with NBN Co’s Medical Alarm Register by calling 1800 227 300 or complete the online form at nbnco.com.au/medicalregister.

b. If you have an EFTPOS terminal, fax or alarm system, call the provider of that service (for example your bank) to ask what internet or landline phone services over the NBN will support the device.

c. If your building has an emergency lift phone and/or a fire indicator panel you are encouraged to register your details with NBN Co so these services can be identified by calling 1800 687 626.***

d. Contact your preferred phone company or internet service provider and discuss your requirements.

2. Choose a plan that suits your needs.

3. Order your service over the NBN as soon as possible.

• Areas within suburbs will have different switch off dates depending on when the NBN becomes available to their premises.
• NBN Co’s fixed wireless facilities are designed to service less densely populated communities across Australia such as small towns and villages and the outer surrounds of major townships.
• NBN Co’s fixed wireless service offers wholesale download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second and wholesale upload speeds of up to five megabits per second to telephone and internet service providers.
• 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.
• Before the network equipment is installed a service validation test will be carried out. 
• In fixed wireless areas copper phone lines will remain in place to provide a landline telephone service, if the end user chooses to use it.
• A standard installation of NBN equipment is currently free of charge. Residents should ask their preferred service provider if they have any other fees.

* Premises activated as reported in the NBN Rollout information weekly summary – www.nbnco.com.au/about-us/weekly-progress-report.html

**The NBN is replacing most landline networks for phone and internet services, including copper and the majority of HFC networks, within its fixed line footprint with a mix of technologies. 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.

***NBN Co’s designing the NBN to provide these speeds to its wholesale customers, telephone and internet service providers. End user experience including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN depends on some factors outside NBN Co’s control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s service provider designs its network.