The company building Australia’s national broadband network, NBN Co, has unveiled the local government areas where planning proposals will be lodged to deliver high-speed fixed wireless broadband.

Over the coming months NBN Co and its design and construction partners will work with local governments to identify appropriate locations for fixed wireless network infrastructure.

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 1.

“For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications,” says Community Relations Adviser Lalla Hinds.

“NBN Co’s plan to deliver high speed broadband to every Australian premises using one of three technologies – fibre, fixed wireless and satellite – aims to change that.

“Subject to final radio frequency planning and other approvals the fixed wireless network plans to cover up to 32,000 premises across 27 local government areas (see attached list), and is expected to be switched on in stages from around mid to late 2013,” she says.

“This announcement is tremendous news for these regions, many of which have little or no access to high-speed broadband, or those confined to a limited service, such as dial-up or broadband over the mobile network or older satellite systems.

“Faster, more reliable internet aims to 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 get some perspective, 12Mbps delivered to internet service providers is 150 times faster than retail dial up services, 12 times faster than entry level ABG satellite retail services and 8 times faster than ADSL 1 retail services.

“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 regional centre or further out, NBN Co is committed to providing high-speed broadband access to every Australian home and business,” Lalla says.