How nbn is enabling broadband access across regional Australia

NBN Co has announced that around 24,000 homes and businesses across regional Australia are now eligible to access the nbn® fixed wireless network for the first time, transforming the way they access broadband internet over the nbn network.

The announcement represents a major milestone in the upgrade of the nbn fixed wireless network, which includes expanding access for around 120,000 homes and businesses, enabling faster and more consistent speeds at the busiest times over the overall fixed wireless network and the introduction of two new wholesale higher speed plans by the end of the program.

The upgrade is being enabled by a $750 million investment – including $480 million from the Australian Government and $270 million from nbn.

Gavin Williams, nbn Chief Development Officer for Regional and Remote, said, “We are committed to evolving our network and products to deliver the social and economic benefits that having access to fast and reliable broadband to people across Australia, no matter where they live.

“We are in the middle of the next evolution of the nbn fixed wireless network to extend its reach and capability and bring improved service deeper into rural and regional Australia.

“The nbn fixed wireless network is the digital backbone for many regional Australians. With more people living in regional areas, connectivity has never been more important and that is why we are not just responding to existing demand, but also planning for the future.

“We expect that by around the end of 2024, the upgrades we are making across the nbn fixed wireless network will enable around 750,000 homes and business to enjoy better broadband, which will allow more people to be online at the same to work, study, and stream with less buffering.”

All 24,000 premises that can now access nbn fixed wireless services are currently located within the nbn satellite footprint. The locations of the 24,000 premises have been selected based on their proximity to existing nbn fixed wireless towers, with priority given to those located in the most heavily used parts of the nbn satellite footprint.

Today’s announcement is the latest step from nbn to evolve the network for regional Australia.

In February, nbn announced the trial of a new nbn Sky Muster Plus plan that it hopes will allow it to provide faster speeds and even more unmetered data to satellite customers from late 2023. The trial will be subject to fair use restrictions and features of any final product are subject to change.

nbn also recently announced that an additional one million households and businesses – up to 58 per cent in regional areas – would be able to choose to get faster and more reliable broadband, as the rollout of full fibre to the premises continues across the country.