THE NATIONAL Broadband Network (NBN) is now available to more than 1200 homes in and around Dubbo, revolutionising the way of life for its dwellers.
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NBN Co yesterday launched its fixed wireless services through Telstra, and made Dubbo one of the first regional cities with the access to a fast internet and phone network.
It will also bring growth to businesses and have major impacts on the education and health sectors.
“Dubbo is lucky and compares very favourably because it is one of the first regional areas to get this service,” Telstra’s acting area general manager, Paul Rapley, said.
Eight towers will service the up to 300 fixed wireless premises. These have been set out in a circle from the Beni area, Brocklehurst, South Dubbo, Eshcol, Eulomogo and Delroy Heights.
“We will be saturated with NBN by the end of next year whereas the rollout of it could take up to four years in other surrounding regions such as Orange,” he said.
Mr Rapley said NBN will “absolutely overcome geographical barriers and make businesses want to move into the area to run large business networks at a reasonable cost”.
“It will also give sick people access to high definition video conferences with their doctors to save them travelling to Sydney, or link two schools in remote areas and make it seem like students are learning in the same room. This would be the norm,” Mr Rapley said.
NBN Co will make fibre optic services available in May next year and increase speeds from of 25 megabits per second to 100 megabits per second.
“This would download movies within five minutes, which is the sort of stuff you’ll get on cable only available in Sydney or Melbourne-type areas,” Mr Rapley said. Over the next decade homes, schools and workplaces across Australia will be equipped with the NBN fibre, fixed wireless or satellite connections.