The Australian Government has taken its first major step under the Improved Connectivity Plan for Rural and Regional Australia, with $480 million provided to NBN Co to upgrade the NBN fixed wireless network.
The plan will deliver better broadband and mobile coverage in regional Australia, including through investments in NBN. This will help Australian businesses deliver to local and overseas markets, as well as communities seeking access to state-of-the-art broadband.
Consumers of the fixed wireless footprint will benefit from access to increased download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), with up to 85% being able to access 250 Mbps. The upgrade will also deliver typical busy-hour wholesale speeds of at least 50 Mbps. This will benefit approximately 755,000 locals.
Fixed wireless coverage will be extended to cover another 120,000 premises currently only via satellite. By settling funding agreements now, NBN Co will be able to increase Sky Muster data allocations and product inclusions in the coming weeks, with further enhancements to follow once upgrades are complete. This will benefit approximately 300,000 locals.
With this funding in place, NBN Co can now get to work rolling out the fixed wireless upgrades over the next two and a half years. Further information on when, where and how these enhancements will be rolled out will be available from NBN Co in the coming months.
Quotes attributable to Michelle Rowland
“The Albanian government is determined to bring Australians together; from regional and rural Australia to our city centres. Our new Better Connectivity for Rural and Regional Australia plan will ensure regional Australians are connected through faster internet and better mobile coverage.
“Our plan will deliver tangible benefits to Australians in the region, improving safety, improving connectivity and increasing productivity through state-of-the-art broadband connections.”
“NBN was announced in 2009 as a key investment in the nation’s future, and this upgrade continues our commitment to ensuring that regional, rural and remote communities are not left behind and that Australia remains at the forefront of digital connectivity.”
MONDAY JUNE 27, 2022
