The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced that remote schools, health clinics, and local government facilities are now eligible to connect to the National Broadband Network (NBN) through the Interim Satellite Service (ISS).

“By extending the eligibility for the ISS, approximately 250 schools, 800 health clinics and 200 local government facilities in the remotest parts of Australia will now be able to access faster and more reliable broadband.

“For schools like Watarru Anangu School in the far north of South Australia, it will mean students can get much more reliable broadband, with speeds up to six times faster than they have now. This will significantly help their ability to learn and gain a valuable education.

“In remote Western Australia, health clinics like Ardyaloon Community Health Centre will be able to access the ISS. This will offer them much needed capacity to provide improved healthcare services for people living in their local community,” says Senator Conroy.

The Interim Satellite Service has been operating since 1 July 2011 and provides eligible rural and regional Australians faster broadband services. NBN Co’s long term satellite service will be available in 2015.

“Over 7,200 homes and small businesses in remote and rural areas are already using the ISS. This is part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to prioritise the NBN rollout to regional Australia.

“NBN Fibre will be rolled out to over 70% of homes and businesses in regional Australia. By 2015, people living in regional and remote Australia who are outside the fibre footprint will have access to the NBN through fixed wireless or satellite,” adds Senator Conroy.

Extending eligibility for the ISS to remote schools and health clinics was a recommendation made by the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) in its 2011-12 report, which was released yesterday.