Regional Australians are set to gain access to four times faster and more reliable internet through major upgrades to the national broadband network.
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Upgrades to existing towers, the installation of new technology and software enhancements will deliver increased speeds and coverage in the regions as a result of an investment of $750 million announced in 2022.
The federal minister for communications Michelle Rowland will announce the upgrades on July 2 after the Commonwealth Government committed $480 million to the project, with the additional $280 million coming from NBN Co.
The upgrades promise to introduce the fastest speeds ever offered by NBN Co with two new higher speed tiers for homes and businesses with "heavy" or more "intensive" usage requirements.
Regional Australians can expect download speeds up to four times faster from July, with the Fixed Wireless Plus wholesale plan having already been boosted from 75/10 to 100/20 megabits per second (Mbps).
Ms Rowland said the upgrades will make a difference to so many Australians living outside our capital cities.
"These higher speed tiers will mean more communities in rural and regional Australia can enjoy the benefits of superfast broadband - whether that's to run a business, learn remotely, or watch entertainment," Ms Rowland said.
More than 700,000 homes and businesses will be able to access download speeds up to 100 Mbps, including over 50,000 previously on NBN satellite-only premises.
About 120,000 homes will be moved from NBN satellite to the Fixed Wireless footprint by December 2024 when the upgrade program is on track to be completed.
In the Fixed Wireless coverage area, 90 per cent of Fixed Wireless Home Fast plans will have access to 200-250/8-20 Mbps peak wholesale speeds and 80 per cent of Fixed Wireless Superfast plans will have access to 400/10-40 Mbps by the end of this year.
Demand for data and faster speeds in regional Australia is higher than ever before with the rise of working and learning from home, remote healthcare, and greater ways to entertain and connect with loved ones.
NBN Co chief development officer regional and remote Gavin Williams said regional Australians are using more data than ever and the upgrades will offer two new higher speed tiers.
"We're delivering the fastest wholesale nbn fixed wireless speeds we've ever offered to regional Australia," Mr Williams said.
He said NBN Co is working with internet providers to make two new high-speed plans progressively available in eligible upgrade locations from July.
You can visit the NBN Co website to see what service is available at your address.
Ayden Dawkins
Ayden is the digital editor for ACM's Victorian mastheads.
Do you have a story that should be told? Email him at ayden.dawkins@acm.media
