Around 24,000 homes and businesses across Australia will be able to upgrade to NBN fixed wireless for the first time, as a result of the Albanese Government's $480 million investment to improve broadband connectivity in regional areas.
The premises announced today represent more than 20 per cent of the total 120,000 premises that will be eligible to move to a fixed wireless connection by December 2024.
The satellite-to-fixed-wireless flip is being enabled by the installation of new technology on towers providing fixed wireless services, boosting the signal to reach more households and businesses
Making this technology switch will mean faster and more consistent speeds for regional families and small businesses, as well as access to higher speed plans.
In addition to expanding fixed wireless access, the Albanese Government has invested $2.4 billion to enable an additional 1.5 million premises to transition from a slower copper connection to world-class full-fibre by 2025 - over 660,000 of which will be in regional areas. The latest tranche of eligible suburbs - one million premises - was announced by the Government last month.
The Government is also trialling a new unmetered NBN Sky Muster satellite service that it hopes will boost internet quality in the bush.
NBN Co will write to eligible premises to access the new fixed wireless service from mid-April onwards.
Residents and small businesses are encouraged to visit nbn.com.au/regionalinvestment to register for updates.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"The work of improving broadband quality and service across Australia - including in rural and regional areas - is never done. It's not a set-and-forget.
"That's why the Albanese Government is expanding fixed wireless access across the country to ensure local residents and businesses outside our major cities have faster and more reliable internet.
"Our Government is working across the NBN network - from fixed line, to fixed wireless, and satellite technologies - to deliver the quality communications infrastructure Australians rightly expect and deserve.
"I encourage Australians currently served by satellite technology to check the NBN website to see if they are eligible to make the switch".
