26 new rural and regional communities can now switch on the NBN

More than 6,000 Australian farms, homes and businesses across Australia can now switch to the National Broadband Network (NBN) after fixed wireless services recently went live in parts of the following 26 rural and regional communities.

NSW	QLD	SA
Mid-North Coast Boambee (surrounds) Woolgoolga (surrounds) Marshdale (surrounds) Barrington Stratford New England Wallangarra Riverina Tarcutta Gumly Gumly (surrounds) Oura Alfredtown	South QLD East Greenmount Millmerran (surrounds) Clontarf Nobby North QLD Mount Julian	Fleurieu Peninsula Yankalilla (surrounds) Limestone Coast Allendale East Moorak Port MacDonnell (surrounds) Tarpeena Worrolong Yahl Lucindale Kybybolite
VIC	TAS
Grampians Apsley	Northern Tasmania Edgcumbe Beach

As of today, NBN Co’s fixed wireless rollout covers more than 114,000 premises nationally, with more than 18,200 premises currently connected.*

NBN Co spokesperson, Tony Gibbs said:

“Today’s announcement highlights how NBN is helping to close the digital divide in regional Australia – and with that comes many economic and social opportunities for local communities.

“Fast broadband gives residents access to e-health services, distance education and entertainment on demand, while businesses now have the ability to increase productivity, reduce costs and access new markets,”** Mr Gibbs said.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map to find out if their premise is included in the coverage footprint.  If their premise passes the signal quality test, it’s just three easy steps before they can start enjoying the benefits of high speed broadband over the NBN.

Three-Step Guide to connecting to NBN Fixed Wireless

Step 1: Order a service

Contact your preferred telephone company or internet service provider to book-in a signal quality test.

Step 2: Installation

If your premise can receive a good quality fixed wireless signal, NBN Co will install and test an Outdoor Antenna on your roof and a Connection Box inside your home – both are currently free of charge.

Step 3: Connect to the NBN

Once tested, within 24 hours residents should be able to just connect their service provider’s modem to the internal NBN Connection Box to begin experiencing the many benefits of fast broadband.  For further details on connecting to the NBN fixed wireless network, visit: www.nbnco.com.au/fixed-wireless.html

Media enquiries

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

Grant Thomas
P: 02 8918 5853
M: 0417 554 787
E: grantthomas@nbnco.com.au

Notes to editors

• 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.*
• 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.
• 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 signal quality test will be carried out. Those premises which are unable to be served by fixed wireless may be able to receive NBN Co’s long term satellite service when it becomes available. Visit www.nbnco.com.au/satellite for more information.
• 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/weeklyprogressreport

** 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.