NBN Co, the company building Australia’s National Broadband Network, today unveiled the locations in the Albury and Wodonga region that will receive high speed fixed wireless broadband.

The fixed wireless network will deliver high speed broadband to homes and businesses at wholesale speeds up to 150 times faster than dial-up and up to eight times faster than ADSL.

“For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications,” said NBN Co stakeholder relations advisor Tony Gibbs.

“NBN Co’s plan to deliver high speed broadband to every Australian with a combination of fibre, fixed wireless and satellite aims to change that.”

The communities, which cover seven local government areas, to receive a fixed wireless service in the Southern Riverina region are:

Area surrounding Albury city
Area surrounding Corowa township
Area surrounding Culcairn township
Area surrounding Deniliquin township
Area surrounding Finley township
Area surrounding Howlong township
Area surrounding Thurgoona township
Area surrounding Tocumwal township
Area surrounding Tumbarumba township
Berrigan
Jindera
Khancoban
Loka
Oaklands
Pound Ridge
Table Top
Urana
Walla Walla

“Today’s announcement is tremendous news for these communities, many of which have little or no access to high speed broadband, or those confined to a limited service, such as dial-up, mobile or satellite,” Tony says.

“The fixed wireless network will cover around 5,500 premises and is expected to be switched on from mid 2015 onwards.

“Faster, more reliable internet will deliver speeds and services that city people take for granted. It will also mean telehealth consultations, video conferencing, interactive lessons and live collaboration with teachers and students here and abroad can become a reality.

“NBN Co’s fixed wireless network is designed to offer internet service providers with wholesale access speeds of up to 12Mbps, with plans for higher speeds to become available in the future.

“To put 12Mbps into perspective, people in the fixed wireless area who are currently on dial-up will receive speeds up to 150 times faster, on ABG satellite up to 12 times faster and ADSL up to eight times faster.

“NBN Co expects end users will not only notice a big improvement to the speed, but the reliability of their connection.

“Unlike a mobile wireless service where speeds can be affected by the number of people moving into and out of the area, NBN Co’s fixed wireless network is engineered to deliver services to a fixed number of premises within a coverage area.

“Whether you live in the in the regional centre or further out, NBN Co is committed to delivering high speed broadband to every Australian home and business.”