NBN provides unprecedented growth opportunity for local industry, says Toowoomba Mayor

Better broadband the key to regional development

More than 4,600 farms, homes and businesses in the regional surrounds of Toowoomba can now switch to services over the National Broadband Network (NBN) as eight fixed wireless installations are now live in the below areas:

NBN Co has also commenced physical construction of nine additional installations in the rural and regional surrounds of Toowoomba – meaning a further 1,700 premises are expected to be able to connect to the NBN by the end of 2014:

NBN Co spokesperson, Ryan Williams said NBN Co’s fixed wireless service is designed to deliver internet speeds to regional areas that are today taken for granted in the cities.* This means people have the opportunity to work from home no matter how far they live from the office, whilst the rest of the family is online at the same time.

“Residents will also gain improved access to services such as e-health, distance education and online entertainment through the superior connectivity delivered by the NBN,”* said Mr Williams.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor, Cr Paul Antonio said The NBN is another vital piece of infrastructure for the region, providing enhanced connectivity for those who live and work here.  The Toowoomba region is fast becoming a real powerhouse of the Queensland economy. The NBN, along with the other major infrastructure developments underway, provides an unprecedented opportunity for growth of key local industries.

Regional Development Australia (Darling Downs and South West Qld) NBN Project Officer, Bryan Gray said The NBN provides opportunities for major regional centres, like Toowoomba, to benefit from metropolitan decentralisation as businesses are no longer restricted to capital cities and coast lines.”

“With access to fast broadband, employees can swap their long city commutes for an affordable, regional lifestyle.  At the same time, it presents governments and business owners with opportunities to increase productivity and reduce costs,” said Mr Gray.

Southbrook resident and iiNet customer, Ryan Cooling, works from home and is the Queensland representative for the Australian Sleddog Sports Association – both of which require a fast and reliable broadband connection for high definition video calls.

“Since connecting to the NBN, I no longer need to travel into Toowoomba every day.  I can work from my home in Southbrook and service clients all across the state – just as if I was based in their own office.”

“I also breed Alaskan Malamutes and race them all around Australia.  I regularly need to stay in touch and share updates on the dogs with colleagues in the southern states. The NBN has changed the way I do this, as I am no longer hamstrung by constant buffering and unreliable connections,” said Mr Cooling.

Toowoomba residents are encouraged to visit www.nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map to find out if their premise is included in the live fixed wireless footprint.  If so, it takes just three easy steps before they can start enjoying the benefits of high speed broadband over the NBN.

Three-Step Guide to connecting to NBN Fixed Wireless

Step 1: Order a service

Contact your preferred telephone company or internet service provider to book-in a signal quality test.  Up to 30 service providers are offering services over the NBN in the areas surrounding Toowoomba.  A full list of services providers can be found at www.nbnco.com.au/serviceproviders.

Step 2: Installation

If your premise can receive a good quality fixed wireless signal, NBN Co will install and test an Outdoor Antenna on your roof and a Connection Box inside your home – both are currently free of charge.  Remember to ask your preferred service provider if they have any other fees.

Step 3: Connect to the NBN

Once tested, residents should be able to just connect their service provider’s modem to the internal NBN Connection Box to begin experiencing the many benefits of fast broadband. For further details on connecting to the NBN fixed wireless network, visit: http://www.nbnco.com.au/get-an-nbn-connection/connect-fixed-wireless.html.

Media enquiries

Grant Thomas
Phone: 02 8918 5853
Mobile: 0417 554 787
NBN Co Media Hotline: 02 9927 4200

Notes to editors

• NBN Co’s fixed wireless facilities are designed to service less densely populated communities across Australia such as small towns and villages and the outer surrounds of major townships.
• NBN Co’s fixed wireless service offers wholesale download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second and wholesale upload speeds of up to five megabits per second to telephone and internet service providers.*
• Fixed wireless services are delivered by radio communications via antennas that transmit a signal direct to a small outdoor antenna on your home or business.
• Before the network equipment is installed a service validation test will be carried out. Those 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. Visit www.nbnco.com.au/satellite for more information.
• In fixed wireless areas copper phone lines will remain in place to provide a landline telephone service, if the end user chooses to use it.
• A standard installation of NBN equipment is currently free of charge. Residents should ask their preferred service provider if they have any other fees.

* NBN Co is designing the NBN to provide these speeds to its wholesale customers, telephone and internet service providers. End user experience including the speeds actually achieved over the NBN depends on the technology over which services are delivered to your premises and some factors outside NBN Co’s control like equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how the end user’s service provider designs its network.