December 21, 2016
Almost 7,000 homes and businesses in Bairnsdale and Paynesville 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 first half of 2017, providing 6,900 premises in Bairnsdale, East Bairnsdale, Eastwood, Lucknow and Wy Yung 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 for staying touch with family and friends,” Mr Chester said.
NBN subcontractors will begin connecting Eagle Point, Newlands Arm, Paynesville and Raymond Island with new high-speed broadband technology in the second half of 2017, once network designs have been finalised.
“Having reliable access to fast internet is becoming a basic requirement for our everyday lives and the NBN will deliver this to residents in regional areas,” Mr Chester said.
Homes and businesses in the Bairnsdale and Paynesville areas will be connected to the NBN using Fibre To The Node (FTTN) technology.
FTTN offers average broadband speeds of up to 70 megabits per second (Mbps), with some premises able to access speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
The NBN will provide at least 90 per cent of the fixed-line footprint with 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 Gippsland electorate 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 is available at www.nbnco.com.au.
