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Ultrafast internet speeds are coming for residents and businesses in Mackellar, as part of the Federal Government’s $3.5 billion network upgrade initiative.
The initiative is part of the Investment Acceleration Program, which includes $2.9 billion to take fibre deeper into the Fibre to the Node (FTTN) footprint. This will allow millions of homes currently connected to FTTN reach speeds of up to 1 Gigabit per second.
Member for Mackellar, Jason Falinski has hailed the announcement as a major win for the people of Mackellar.
“This announcement will mean more than 68 per cent of Mackellar will have access to Ultrafast speeds. This will come as a huge relief to residents who are tired of poor internet.” Mr Falinski said.
“This will improve the way we are able to connect and conduct business, which will particularly be important in a post COVID world.”
The NBN rollout footprint in Mackellar covers approximately 73,000 homes and businesses with a wide-ranging technology mix. These include Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) and satellite which are currently Ready For Service (RFS) for 29,540 and 209 premises respectively.
This major network investment will see more than 50,000 homes and businesses, or 68 per cent of Mackellar with access to Ultrafast speeds by 2023.
Palm Beach, Avalon, Bilgola Plateau, Bilgola Beach, Whale Beach and Clareville were some of the first suburbs to be connected to the NBN in the electorate. They will now also be some of the major benefactors from the recent announcement.
In 2013, there were six premises RFS and as of the 17th of September 2020, 72,928 premises are ready for service. This equates to 99% of the electorate. Overall uptake of the NBN in Mackellar is at 60%.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said: “NBN Co’s financial performance has continued to strengthen since it delivered its last Corporate Plan, with revenues of $3.8 billion in the last financial year exceeding forecasts.
“This Plan forecasts that revenues will grow to $6.2 billion by the 2023-24 financial year. The company’s ability to successfully raise private debt means that the new investments set out in the plan require no additional funding from the Government.”
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said: “In the past year, NBN Co exceeded its rollout targets to reach more than 99 per cent of Australian premises, quickly restored and maintained connectivity for bushfire affected communities, and met the broadband needs of millions of Australian households and businesses when they needed it most during COVID-19 – reinforcing the importance of fast, reliable and affordable broadband.
“The Corporate Plan will see the NBN continue to deliver social and economic benefits for Australians by generating jobs and economic growth, meeting growing demand from households, providing enhanced business services, and supporting regional Australia.”
Ends
The $3.5bn network upgrade initiative breakdown:
· $2.9 billion to take fibre deeper into the FTTN footprint. This will allow two million homes which are today served by fibre to the node (including 950,000 in regional areas) to order speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) by 2023.
· $400 million to upgrade the HFC network – allowing all 2.5 million homes in the HFC footprint to order gigabit speeds from December 2021.
· $100 million to a speed uplift program for the 1.5 million homes served by fibre to the curb (FTTC). This will give them access to gigabit speeds through enablement of G.Fast capability by 2023.
· $50 million for a program to target in home wiring in the homes of customers served by the FTTN network. Problems within the home can often mean speeds are 5 to 20 Mbps less than they could be; a focus on this issue will bring noticeable improvements to many customers.