The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and the Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan today launched the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Kiama Downs/ Minnamurra (NSW), representing another historic step in achieving high-speed broadband for all Australians.
"Kiama is the second site on mainland Australia to launch the NBN and will enable trial users to receive a connection to our world class high-speed broadband network. This is another key milestone in the roll out of the NBN across Australia," Senator Conroy said.
"Today marks a significant milestone in the government's vision to deliver affordable, high-speed broadband to every Australian home, business, school, and medical facility.
"The NBN will enable improvements in the delivery of healthcare services and access to business opportunities with Kiama residents to be amongst the first Australians to experience these benefits.
"The NBN will also enable older Australians to harness the benefits of in-home exercise and rehabilitation programs, such as Neuroscience Research Australia's Fall Prevention Program demonstrated at today's launch."
"These initiatives are made possible through the high-speed transmission of data enabled by the NBN. The trial users in Kiama will be able to experience speeds of up to 100Mbps with potential speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second expected to be available late next year."
Deputy Prime Minister, Wayne Swan said the NBN would be a boon for Australian businesses, no matter where they are located across the country.
"The NBN will allow businesses, whether they are small, medium and large in rural and regional Australia, to overcome the tyranny of distance by gaining access to national and international markets," Mr Swan said.
"Small businesses are already relocating to Kiama to take advantage of the NBN, highlighting that the NBN can promote efficiency, productivity and new opportunities for businesses.
"Australian businesses will be able to operate smarter against their competitors, here and overseas regardless of their size or location – and focus on expanding their markets through the use of applications operated on the NBN by reducing their need for a physical presence."
Senator Conroy said Kiama had embraced the NBN, with almost 80 per cent of residents having signed up for a free connection to the network.
"Kiama Downs/Minnamurra is one of five mainland NBN first release sites where NBN Co is testing network design and construction techniques ahead of the national rollout," Senator Conroy said.
"The Armidale (NSW) first release site was connected to the NBN in May this year and customer trials are now underway. The other sites of Brunswick (VIC), Willunga (SA) and Townsville (QLD) will begin offering services progressively over the coming months."