NBN fixed wireless being rolled out in central west NSW

Minister for Broadband, Communications, and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and Duty Senator for Calare Matt Thistlethwaite, announced today that planning has started to connect more local communities in central west New South Wales to the National Broadband Network (NBN).

People in communities across the Bathurst, Blayney, Carbonne, Lithgow, Orange, Parkes and Oberon Council areas will have access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband, with over 13,000 homes and businesses expected to be switched on in stages starting mid 2013.

Through fixed wireless technology, homes and businesses in theses areas will access wholesale speeds of up to 150 times faster than dial up and eight times faster than ADSL.

“For too long, people living in regional and rural Australia have had to put up with slow, unreliable internet connections – if they could get a connection at all. But thanks to the Gillard Government’s investment in the National Broadband Network, all Australians, no matter where they live, will have access to fast, affordable, and reliable broadband,” Senator Conroy said.

“Through the NBN, the government is also delivering uniform national wholesale pricing. This means people living in and around Bathurst will pay the same prices for NBN services as people in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.”

Senator Thistlethwaite welcomed news that a number of central west NSW communities will have access to fast and reliable broadband from next year.

“This is fantastic news for local communities,” Senator Thistlethwaite said. “The NBN will change the way we live and work here and I am very excited by the progress we’ll see on the ground in the next 12 months.

“In many areas of NSW outside the major centres, people cannot access adequate broadband so this is a great outcome for our region.

“This is a truly exciting time for families and businesses who want to get online in regional and rural Australia. Like water and electricity, the Gillard Government sees fast broadband as an essential utility that should be made available to all Australians.”

The Gillard Government is prioritising regional and rural Australia for the rollout of the NBN. The majority of NBN construction has taken place in regional and rural Australia, while NBN Co has brought forward the introduction of wireless and satellite services so that people in the bush can get access to better broadband as soon as possible.

Date: 3 July 2012
Minister Conroy’s office: Adam Sims 0408 258 45
Senator Thistlethwaite’s office: Nick Moncrieff-Hill 0408 687 497

List of councils where fixed wireless planning proposals are expected to be lodged