nbn has begun construction of the broadband network in Rockhampton and Orange, while Rocherlea and Newham has made the switch to the network.
Residents in parts of Rocherlea and Newham in Tasmania can experience the broadband network this week.
An additional 2500 homes and businesses in the suburbs are now covered by the nbn network in Rocherlea and Newham, with this latest switch continuing the expansion coverage in Launceston.
nbn Corporate Affairs Manager Tasmania, Russell Kelly, said, “More than 121,000 premises in Tasmania now have access, with thousands more being connected each month.
“In urban Launceston all suburbs are now finished construction, under construction or in planning.
“All of urban Launceston is scheduled to be under construction or finished by mid 2016.”
nbn has also began construction around Rockhampton, with works started in Allenstown, Berserker, Depot Hill, Kawana, Park Avenue, Port Curtis, Rockhampton City, The Common, The Range, Wandal, West Rockhampton.
The workforce in the area started in late February constructing Fibre to the Node technology to 1800 premises in Glenlee, Parkhurst and Rockyview.
Construction is then scheduled to move to 14,900 premises in Berserker, Frenchville, Kawana, Koongal, Lakes Creek, Limestone Creek, Nerimbera, Norman Gardens, Park Avenue in March 2016.
Construction has also began on nearly 18,000 premises in Orange, with homes and businesses able to begin accessing fast and reliable broadband by about August 2016.
nbn spokesperson, Kelly Stevens, said, “This is great news for locals who will soon be able to rival people in the city when it comes to internet speed and reliability.
“They join more 1600 homes and businesses in outlying areas that are already able to access the network through our fixed wireless technology. Once the fixed line build is completed the region will be fully connected which is great news.”
Federal Member for Calare, John Cobb MP, said, “Bridging the digital divide in Australia is vital for regional centres like Orange. You shouldn’t have to live in Sydney or Melbourne to compete on a local, national or global stage, the nbn allows people to do just that.”
Lendlease is nbn’s delivery partner in Orange, setting up a depot at Barrett Court.
Lendlease’s Services business, Managing Director, Ashley Mason, said, “Our work will help to connect 18,000 homes and businesses in Orange to the nbn as well as another 18,000 in the surrounding region, including Bathurst later in the year.
“Lendlease is committed to creating local jobs whenever possible, and we recently held a recruitment roadshow at a local shopping centre in Orange.”
More than 1.77 million homes and businesses throughout Australia are now able to connect to the network and NSW continues to lead the way with 568,000 currently able to connect to the nbn network.
