The National Broadband Network is now up and running in Ballarat.

Around 2400 premises can order a service over the NBN today and start experiencing the benefits of fast broadband.

The upgrade to Australia’s fixed-line telecommunications network is available to homes and businesses in the city in an area bordered by Winter St, Cedar Drive, Wendouree Parade and Sturt St (shown in map) with other locations to follow.

Vice President of Internet Society Australia and local resident, George Fong, welcomed the news of the arrival of the NBN and the opportunities it would bring.

“This is a historical moment for Ballarat. With the activation of the first NBN fibre services in this city, we have achieved world class status in terms of our broadband infrastructure, something we have worked for and advocated over many years,” Mr Fong said.

“This is a huge advantage for our community and businesses, not just for now, but many years into the future. It’s going to change the way we live and the way we work in so many ways.”

Eligible residents are encouraged to sign up to a range of competitively-priced NBN packages from phone and internet service providers.

They have until May 2015 to make the move. That’s when existing landline phone, ADSL internet and Telstra cable internet services will be switched off in the area and no longer work. Special equipment, such as medical and security alarms which operate over the landline, may also need to be replaced or upgraded.

According to NBN Co spokesperson Trent Willliams:

“People in Ballarat are joining the growing number of families and businesses that are already enjoying the benefits better broadband can bring, including having all the family online at once, high-quality video calls and fast movie downloads and streaming TV.**

“With the countdown underway, now is the perfect time for families and businesses to make the switch to the NBN.

“Even Ballarat residents who don’t use the internet will still need to switch to the NBN if they want to keep using their landline home phone. Simply call your preferred phone or internet provider,” Mr Williams said.

In addition to the area where the NBN is newly already available, contracts have been issued for physical construction of the NBN to a further 9400 premises in Ballarat, Black Hill, Ballarat East, Ballarat North, Soldiers Hills and Brown Hill.

The fixed-line NBN already passes about 75,000 Victorian premises in both established areas and new developments.

 

Media enquiries

Nick Creevey

Mobile: 0415 515 008

 

Ballarat NBN footprint

Map data © 2014 Google

 

Notes to editors

• The National Broadband Network is a nationwide upgrade to Australia’s fixed-line telecommunications infrastructure. It is the job of NBN Co to ensure every family and business can have access to fast broadband as soon, cost-effectively and affordably as possible.
• For Ballarat residents, living or working in the area (shown in the attached map) the 18 month countdown to disconnection of existing landline phone and internet services started on 8 November 2013. Other areas across the Central Coast will have different disconnection dates depending on when the NBN becomes available in each area.
• Eligible residents should search ‘getting connected’ on the nbnco.com.au website.
• Home and business owners in areas with scheduled disconnection dates will receive letters from NBN Co with details about how to switch to the NBN.
• Homes and businesses that have an existing medical or security alarm systems should contact their alarm device provider and service provider to enquire about how their device will work over the NBN.

* Services not replaced by the NBN include TransACT, OptiComm, some Telstra Velocity services and others. For a full list please visit www.nbnco.com.au/switchoff or call us on 1800 687 626. Optus cable internet services may also be switched off on a different date and existing customers will be advised separately.

** Your experience including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN depends on some factors outside our control like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.

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