The rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) will reach Cairns’ city suburbs within the next year, with work to start in other areas of Cairns within three years.
Cairns Regional Council has welcomed this morning’s announcement that Cairns will feature in the next phase of optical fibre rollout by NBN Co and the Federal Government.
“This is fantastic news for all residents of this region,” Council CEO Lyn Russell said.
“The rollout will provide a major boost to employment and business activity, which will feed into other areas of the regional economy.”
Council’s Economic Development and Innovation Manager Fiona Wilson said the NBN represented the next generation in broadband technology and services for business and residential consumers.
“The NBN will bring opportunities for Cairns and Far North Queensland businesses to explore new ways to do business – such as online sales or eCommerce, sophisticated online marketing to the rest of the world, and online collaboration with other businesses using high-speed and high-quality video conferencing and transfer of documents,” Ms Wilson said.
“For residential consumers, the NBN means opportunities to use online health services, access to high-quality online education and resources, and new entertainment options. It effectively means the removal of the digital divide between FNQ and capital cities.”
Work is set to start within the next 12 months on the fibre optic network in the Cairns suburbs of Bungalow, Cairns City, Cairns North, Manunda, Mount Sheridan, Parramatta Park, Portsmith, Westcourt and White Rock.
The network will then roll out to Bayview Heights, Bentley Park, Brinsmead, Clifton Beach, Earlville, Edge Hill, Edmonton, Freshwater, Gordonvale, Holloways Beach, Kewarra Beach, Machans Beach, Palm Cove, Redlynch, Smithfield, Stratford, Trinity Beach, Trinity Park, Whitfield and Woree. Work will start in these areas between December 2013 and December 2014.
Once the infrastructure is delivered, consumers in the optical fibre rollout areas will be able to buy high-speed broadband services with download speeds of up to 100 Mbps from their service provider of choice.
Council and NBN Co will provide more information to building owners closer to the rollout.
The inclusion of Cairns in this latest announcement is an acknowledgement of the work by FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils, including Cairns Regional Council, in working with NBN Co to demonstrate the benefits of building the network in the Far North.
“The forthcoming rollout is just the first step in the program and more activity will follow in future years,” Ms Wilson said.
“We have been working toward this for a long time and we look forward to further rollout throughout the Cairns region and the rest of Far North Queensland.”
For more information on the NBN rollout or the services that will be available, visit www.nbnco.com.au or call 1800 881 816. Visit the website for information on tender and employment opportunities associated with the roll-out.
