THE National Broadband Network (NBN) is finally on Tamworth’s doorstep, but there’s still a way to go before the city is fully connected.
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It could be 12 months before the first homes have the “fast and reliable broadband” switched on.
Kelly Stevens, manager of NBN corporate affairs, said the roll-out will be built in modules.
“21,000 homes and businesses will be able to be connected in Tamworth,” she said.
“It will start in the North Tamworth area and move into the South Tamworth area and on to Hillvue and Calala.”
Ms Stevens said the NBN will be available to all Tamworth homes within 18 months.
“The first lot will be able to connect towards the end of 2017,” she said
“It will be available to everyone in Tamworth by mid-2018.”
While New England MP and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce announced the roll-out would begin ahead of schedule in December, the NBN were conscious of not causing disruption during the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January.
“Physical construction work will probably start after the [country music] festival,” she said.
“But works will commence in December.”
The fibre to the node broadband infrastructure has the potential to provide 50 megabits per second download speeds; Ms Stevens said most people currently had speeds in the single digits.
Regional communications advocate Alun Davies said bringing Tamworth up-to-speed with NBN internet access would be a huge boon for the region.
“We need a really competitive Tamworth,” he said.
“I know Tamworth and Armidale have a bit of a rivalry, but the whole region depends on Tamworth being competitive.”
Mr Davies said with the introduction of any new technology there would be challenges with the roll-out and encouraged business to start thinking about questions for their providers now. He said the NBN Co. should host an information session in Tamworth with council and the business chamber.