The company building Australia's national broadband network, NBN Co, today unveiled the locations in the Taree, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour regions, which are scheduled to receive high-speed fixed wireless broadband.

"For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications," NBN Co General Manger of External Relations Trent Williams said today.

"NBN Co's plan to deliver high speed broadband to every Australian using one of three technologies - fibre, fixed wireless and satellite - aims to change that.

"Communities which are slated for fixed wireless cover seven local government areas," he said.

"Places that can't be served by fixed wireless will receive NBN Co's Long Term Satellite service.

"This 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 or broadband over the mobile network or older satellite systems.

"The fixed wireless network will cover around 15,000 premises and it is expected areas will start to be switched on in stages from around mid 2013.

"Faster, more reliable internet aims to 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 regional centre or further out, NBN Co is committed to providing high-speed broadband access to every Australian home and business," Mr Williams 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 by fibre, and the remaining seven per cent via fixed wireless or satellite.

• NBN Co plans to install fibre in towns of 1000 premises or more, or to some towns with a few as 500 premises where the town is located on an NBN fibre 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 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 a standard installation.

• 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

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