NBN Co, the company building Australia's National Broadband Network, today unveiled the locations in North East VIC that will receive high speed fixed wireless broadband.

"For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications," said NBN Co stakeholder relations advisor Tony Gibbs.

"NBN Co's plan to deliver high speed broadband to every Australian with one network utilising three technologies, fibre, fixed wireless and satellite aims to change that," he said.

"The communities, which cover seven local government areas¹, to receive a fixed wireless service in the North East VIC region are:

• Allans Flat
• Area surrounding Mt Beauty township
• Area surrounding Wodonga city
• Area surrounding Baranduda township
• Area surrounding Beechworth township
• Area surrounding Chiltern township
• Area surrounding Cobram township
• Area surrounding Corryong township
• Area surrounding Myrtleford township
• Area surrounding Rutherglen township
• Areas surrounding Wangaratta city
• Barnawatha
• Bellbridge
• Benambra
• Bethanga
• Bundalong
• Dederang
• Ebden
• Eldorado
• Everton
• Glenrowan
• Kiewa
• Milawa
• Moyhu
• Omeo
• Oxley
• Peechelba
• Springhurst
• Stanley
• Strathmerton
• Tungamah
• Wandiligong
• Yackandandah

"Today's announcement is tremendous news for these communities, many of which have little or no access to high speed broadband, or those confined to a limited service, such as dial-up, mobile or satellite," Mr Gibbs said.

"The fixed wireless network will cover around 7,500 premises and is expected to be switched on from mid 2015 onwards.

"Faster, more reliable internet will 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.*

"NBN Co expects many end users will not only notice a big improvement to the speed, but the reliability of their connection.

"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 in the regional centre or further out, NBN Co is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every Australian home and business," Mr Gibbs concluded.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Holly Hearne

Phone: 02 8918 8408

Mobile: 0427 957 393

hollyhearne@nbnco.com.au

Notes to editors

• The National Broadband Network is designed to provide high speed broadband access to 100% of premises - approximately 93% of premises will be covered by fibre, 4% will receive fixed wireless and 3% will receive satellite services.
• NBN Co will install fibre in towns of 1000 premises or more, or where a town of 500 premises or more is located on a 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.
• In fixed wireless areas NBN Co will provide a broadband service only. Copper phone lines will remain in place to provide a telephone service.
• The installation of network equipment, including an outdoor antenna and a network determination device will be provided and installed free of charge
• 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

¹ Alpine Shire Council, East Gippsland Shire Council, Indigo Shire Council, Moira Shire Council, Toowong Shire Council, Wangaratta Rural City Council and Wodonga City Council.