The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Albanese Government delivers stronger broadband for regional Australia
The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen the National Broadband Network, with residents and small businesses in remote and regional Australia able to access superfast broadband speeds with upgrades to the Fixed Wireless network.
Made possible by the Albanese Government’s $480 million investment to upgrade the network, the Fixed Wireless Plus wholesale plan has been boosted to peak speeds of up to 100/20 megabits per second (Mbps), higher than the previous peak speed on Fixed Wireless Plus of up to 75/10 Mbps.
This also means regional consumers on the existing 75/10 Fixed Wireless plan have already been automatically upgraded to 100/20 megabit per second plan.
More than 700,000 homes and businesses will now be able to access download speeds up to 100 Mbps, including for over 50,000 previously NBN satellite-only premises who are now eligible to move to an NBN Fixed Wireless connection for the first time.
About 120,000 homes will be moved from NBN satellite to the Fixed Wireless footprint by the time the upgrade program is complete.
Demand for data and faster speeds in regional Australia is higher than ever before. Faster broadband speeds enable the whole family to be online at the same time, whether it be videoconferencing for work, enjoying high definition movies, next-level gaming or accessing telehealth services.
The NBN Fixed Wireless upgrades are on track to be delivered by December 2024.
Available via broadband retailers from July, NBN Co is also releasing two new higher speed tiers for Fixed Wireless services, which offer speeds close to double the original commitments under the nbn Fixed Wireless and Satellite Upgrade Program:
- Fixed Wireless Home Fast plan with 200-250/8-20 Mbps peak wholesale speeds, which will become available to around 90 per cent of the Fixed Wireless coverage area by the end of this year; and
- Fixed Wireless Superfast plan with 400/10-40 Mbps peak wholesale speeds, which will become available to around 80 per cent of the Fixed Wireless coverage area by the end of this year.
For more information on the NBN Fixed Wireless upgrades visit https://www.nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/more-fixed-wireless
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“The Albanese Government is getting on with delivering the National Broadband Network Australians deserve.
“Our $480 million NBN Fixed Wireless upgrade program is helping to deliver faster speeds and a more reliable service for hundreds of thousands of premises.
“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.
“The Government looks forward to working with NBN Co on these important initiatives that will make a difference to so many Australians living outside our capital cities”.