nbn’s been getting busy across a number of areas in WA’s South-West with the nbn™ network now available or under construction on more than 70,000 premises* throughout the region.

 

Today, the final area covering the Bunbury town centre – around 2200 premises – is expected to switch on, joining around 24000 premises in Carey Park, College Grove, Davenport, East Bunbury, Eaton, Gelorup, Glen Iris, Millbridge, Pelican Point, South Bunbury, Usher, Vittoria and Withers.

 

Meanwhile, more than 1800 premises in parts of Busselton, West Busselton, Yalyalup and Bovell are now able to connect to the nbn™ network with Abbey, Broadwater, Geographe, Marybrook and Vasse continuing to switch on into early next year.

 

Next up, approximately 3600 local residents and businesses within Collie and Allanson will soon able to enjoy the benefits of fast and reliable broadband following the switch on in early November.

 

nbn fixed line construction is also well underway in Harvey, Myalup, Binningup and recently Australind, Leschenault, Roelands, Dunsborough, Eagle Bay and Quindalup which commenced this month.  In total, these areas will cover a total of around 13900 premises.

 

WA Corporate Affairs Manager Ebony Aitken noted Australians are expected to spend an extra 22 days on the internet this year than they did in 2014.

 

“As we move further into the digital age, fast and reliable broadband becomes more vital than ever in areas such as business, health, education, entertainment and leisure,” she said.

 

“Using the internet has become part of our everyday lives and online multi-tasking is the new norm.”

 

Strategic Manager Infrastructure for the South West Development Commission Ashley Clements said with an increasing number of people choosing to call the South-West home each year, access to fast and reliable broadband was essential for the region to remain economically and socially competitive.

 

“By 2050, the South West Regional Blueprint estimates about 500,000 people will reside in the region and an important part of absorbing this population and driving innovation is having the right infrastructure in place,” Ashley said.

 

“The nbn™ network will allow the South-West to be connected, opening up new opportunities in areas such as business, health and education, especially as the region is home to a growing group of smart and creative professionals.

 

In August 2016, a special independent nbn advisor was appointed by the South West Development Commission and its partners Regional Development Australia – South West, Business South West, nbn and the South West Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

 

“The nbn advisor will provide accurate and impartial advice to the South West regional community, small business and not-for profit sector on the changes to the telecommunications environment resulting from the roll-out of the nbn™ network,” Ashley said.

 

“We are aware of how critical fast broadband is to ensuring the region continues to be a popular place to live, work and invest and allow local businesses to make a big impression on the global market.”

 

For more information on the nbn™ and rollout areas is available at: http://www.nbnco.com.au/maps

 

 

Media enquiries

Ebony Aitken	nbn™ Media Hotline
Mobile: 0438 581 241	Phone: 02 9927 4200
Email: ebonyaitken@nbnco.com.au	Email: media@nbnco.com.au

 

Key nbn facts

• In WA, more than 320,000 premises are now able to connect and more than 125,000 premises activated.
  • The nbn Broadband Index was undertaken by an independent research agency in June 2016
    • It surveyed 10,348 Australians across metropolitan, regional and remote areas including those connected to the nbn™ network and those not connected
    • The study found that those with access to the nbn™ network are the greatest users
    • the biggest increase is people living in regional areas, accounting for a whopping 1.7 hours more per day, at home during the week, than they did before
    • Most are getting online when we open our eyes and before we go to sleep
    • A quarter of us (28%) hit the internet when we wake in the night
    • Almost three quarters of us (73%) do it while watching TV
    • A third while cooking (34%)
    • Some of us have even confessed to being online on the loo (33%)
    • For the full report including graphics see below.

 

Notes to editors

 

• *Number of premises within the south-west includes fixed line and fixed wireless towers. However, excludes those eligible or premises with nbn’s Sky Muster satellite service.
• Once new areas are switched on and available to the community, nbn’s first priority is to notify the public. Our website will be updated subsequently which requires additional time before accurately reflecting the newly active status of an area.
• We’re designing the nbn™ network to provide these speeds to our wholesale customers, telephone and internet service providers. End user experience, including the speeds actually achieved over the nbn™ network, depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside our control like equipment quality, software, signal reception, broadband plans and how the end user’s service provider designs its network.

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