More than 26,000 households and businesses in Wide Bay will benefit from improvements to the NBN network, following a $480 million investment in the 2022-23 Federal Budget.
Federal Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien welcomed the investment which will improve internet accessibility for 19,747 fixed wireless and 6298 satellite-connected premises in Wide Bay.
“These upgrades will improve signal strength and extend the range of fixed wireless services, so some premises that have previously only been able to access satellite internet may be able to connect to fixed wireless when the rollout is complete, and those who remain on satellite service will also have improved connectivity,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Having access to reliable internet connections is important in every community, and it’s absolutely critical during natural disasters such as the floods that we have just seen that devastated parts of Wide Bay and left several communities without telecommunications for extended periods.
“While this investment is a welcome announcement, there is still significant work to be done in improving telecommunications in Wide Bay and I will continue to work with my colleagues in Canberra to ensure that people and businesses in all Wide Bay communities have weather-proof, reliable internet and telephone services.”
Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said the investment would drive major improvements to regional telecommunications quality, helping to bridge the digital divide many Australian communities often face.
“The NBN is a critical and core part of our national infrastructure and economy, enabling employment, connecting families, and supporting business, including in the electorate of Wide Bay,” Minister McKenzie said.
“This investment provides a comprehensive response to Recommendation 6 of the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review, and is one part of a suite of measures we will announce as part of the Government’s response to the Review in coming weeks.”
NBN Co will commence work on detailed design for the upgrade as soon as the grant agreement is in place. The majority of the upgrade works will take place during 2023 and the first half of 2024, and is expected to be completed in around two and a half years.
The 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review was chaired by Luke Hartsuyker with four other committee members, Sue Middleton, Kristy Sparrow, Professor Hugh Bradlow and Michael Cosgrave.
The Committee’s report, titled Step Change in Demand, was presented to the Australian Government in December 2021 and tabled in parliament on 14 February 2022.
