Seven new Tasmanian locations to receive high-speed broadband

Seven new regional, urban and outer-urban locations across Tasmania will receive high-speed, optical-fibre broadband connections with speeds of 100 Mbps, under Stage 2 of the National Broadband Network rollout in Tasmania.

The locations are Sorell, Deloraine, George Town, St Helens, Triabunna, Kingston Beach and South Hobart.

The Stage 2 rollout will also include the completion of important backbone, optical-fibre transmission links on the east coast and to a new industrial hub being developed at Westbury. Work will begin immediately on detailed planning for Stage 2, including timeframes, number of premises and technical and procurement details.

The Stage 2 rollout will connect communities that are mostly under-serviced, relative to major metropolitan areas, and stand to gain most from high-speed broadband services, including health, education and ecommerce services.

The state and federal governments are jointly connecting the homes, businesses and schools to the digital economy, which is expected to foster the creation of new industries and ‘clever’ jobs.

In July, the Tasmanian communities of Smithton, Midway Point and Scottsdale were announced for Stage 1 NBN rollout. Construction works for Stage 1 are underway and the first services are expected to be available mid-2010.

The NBN in Tasmania will connect 200,000 premises to speeds of 100 Mbps, with the remainder of the state being served by wireless and satellite networks at minimum speeds of 12 Mbps.