December 23, 2016
More than 2000 homes and businesses in Orbost and Mallacoota will have access to the National Broadband Network (NBN) from next year.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said construction of the new fixed-line network would begin in the second half of 2017, providing 1200 homes and businesses in Orbost and 1100 in Mallacoota with faster and more reliable internet access.
Mr Chester said the NBN would open up a range of new opportunities for locals.
“There will be benefits for small businesses, students who study online and people who rely on the internet to stay in touch with family and friends,” Mr Chester said.
Final network designs for Orbost and Mallacoota are being completed, meaning that NBN subcontractors will begin connecting these areas with new high-speed broadband technology in the second half of 2017.
“Having reliable access to fast internet is becoming a basic requirement of our everyday lives and the NBN will deliver this to residents in regional areas,” Mr Chester said.
Homes and businesses in Orbost and Mallacoota will be connected to the NBN using fibre to the node (FTTN) technology.
FTTN offers average broadband speeds of around 70 megabits per second (Mbps), with many premises able to access speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
The NBN will ensure that at least 90 per cent of the fixed-line footprint will have access to download speeds of 50 Mbps – allowing at least 10 home devices to connect to the internet simultaneously.
“The Coalition Government’s mixed-technology roll-out of the NBN is being done in the fastest and most affordable way,” Mr Chester said.
“Already, there are more than 31,000 premises in the electorate of Gippsland ready to connect to the NBN.
“By September 2018, more than 60,000 homes and businesses in Gippsland will be ready for the NBN or their connection will be under construction.”
More information on how to connect to the NBN is available at www.nbnco.com.au.