HOMES and businesses immediately surrounding Tenterfield and Wallangarra will soon benefit from the start of construction of the fixed wireless National Broadband Network.
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The announcement is part of the construction of 23 new fixed installations across rural and regional NSW.
More than 400 homes and businesses in the New England Region have now switched on to NBN and work has started to connect more than 4700 more premises including areas from Bryans Gap to Bungulla.
Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the fixed wireless service has been a long time coming.
“Whole families can go online with the NBN, opening up opportunities for not only businesses and farms but the wider parts of the electorate,” Mr Joyce said.
“Fast broadband can also break down issues of distance by helping deliver improved access to health, education and entertainment over high quality video links.
“The fixed wireless service is designed to provide access to internet speeds and bandwidth that many in the big cities currently take for granted,” he said.
It’s expected it will take around 12 months from the start of construction until residents and business owners can order NBN retail services from telephone or internet service providers.
NBN Co spokesperson, Tony Gibbs, said the fixed wireless service will better support regional areas like Tenterfield and surrounds.
“For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications.
Mr Gibbs said it was important rural areas were kept up to speed with the digital age.
"The NBN also means you can get the whole family online at once.”
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.
The coverage footprint of these new areas can be seen via the NBN Co interactive map www.nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map and type in the name of your community.
