MEDIA RELEASE
THE HON MICHELLE ROWLAND MP, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR
Around 24,000 homes and businesses across Australia currently will be able to upgrade to NBN fixed wireless for the first time, as a result of the Albanese Labor Government’s $480 million investment to improve broadband connectivity in regional areas – including in Blair.
The premises announced – including 14 locations in Ipswich and surrounding areas, such as the Lockyer Valley and Scenic Rim, and 13 locations in the Somerset Region – represent more than 20 per cent of the total 120,000 premises that will be eligible to move to a fixed wireless connection by December 2024.
In Ipswich and surrounds, NBN fixed wireless services have been extended to Borallon, Calvert, Chuwar West, Ebenezer South, Grandchester, Haigslea, Ironbark East, Kholo South, Laidley South, Peak Crossing North, Purga, Rosewood, Tallegalla and Walloon North.
In the Somerset Region, new locations include Benarkin, Coominya, Esk Highland St, Kilcoy, Lowood, Minden South, Moore, Mount Hallen, Mt England, Mt Tarampa, Royston, Toogoolawah and Wivenhoe Pocket.
The satellite-to-fixed-wireless flip is being enabled by the installation of new technology on towers providing fixed wireless services, boosting the signal to reach more households and businesses
Making this technology switch will mean faster and more consistent speeds for regional families and small businesses as well as access to higher speed plans.
In addition to expanding fixed wireless access, the Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion to enable an additional 1.5 million premises to transition from a slower copper connection to world-class full-fibre by 2025 – over 660,000 of which will be in regional areas. The latest tranche of eligible suburbs – one million premises – was announced by the Government last month.
The Government is also trialing a new unmetered NBN Sky Muster satellite service that it hopes will boost internet quality in the bush.
NBN Co is writing to eligible premises to access the new fixed wireless service.
Residents and small businesses are encouraged to visit nbn.com.au/regionalinvestment to register for updates.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“The work is improving broadband quality and service across Australia – including in rural and regional areas – is never done. It’s not a set-and-forget.
“That’s why the Albanese Labor Government is expanding fixed wireless access across the country to ensure local residents and businesses outside our major cities have faster and more reliable internet.
“Our government is working across the NBN network – from fixed line, to fixed wireless, and satellite technologies – to deliver the quality communications infrastructure Australians rightly expect and deserve.
“I encourage Australians currently served by satellite technology to check the NBN website to see if they are eligible to make the switch”.
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann:
“This announcement is excellent news for locals living and working in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and surrounding areas.
“In 2023, access to quality broadband is as essential as electricity and running water, and we need to improve broadband services in many peri-urban and rural and regional parts of my electorate.
“I’m proud to part of an Albanese Labor Government that’s getting on with the job of improving the lives of Australians – no matter where they live or work.”
