IT hasn’t gone live in Oberon yet, but nearby Bathurst now has about 75 per cent of properties that are able to connect to the National Broadband Network (NBN).
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There are 10,000 homes and businesses across Bathurst that can now connect, with 5000 left to go.
NBN Co Limited spokeswoman for NSW, Marcela Balart, came to Bathurst on Monday to announce that the nationwide rollout had now reached the halfway point.
“The Central West is at the forefront of the first nationwide upgrade of its kind to Australia’s telecommunications in more than 100 years,” she said.
“Three-in-four people in the Central West can now get NBN; it’s one-in-two nationally.
“The regions outside metro areas were a focus. We were mandated by government to focus on areas that were under-serviced.”
Western Research Institute general manager Wendy Mason was at the announcement and said the NBN rollout will be of benefit.
“It should assist to attract businesses, and allow businesses to do business,” she said.
Ms Balart said Central West residents have embraced the enhanced connectivity provided by the NBN.
“The region is a pioneering example of Australia’s digital future – it has seen an increase in usage of teleworking, online learning and on-demand entertainment since the network was switched on.”
Ms Balart said there were a few misconceptions about getting connected to the NBN and the most common was about how people switched on.
“You have to go to your retailer to hook up. The switch is not automatic, you [need to] contact your retail provider to get an NBN plan,” she said.
“People need to do their homework now that we have a choice of speeds.
“They need to know how they use it [the internet] and the number of devices [in their property].”
The CBD, along with parts of Kelso and Windradyne, will be among the last places in Bathurst to get connected.
Work continues to install the NBN nodes in Oberon. The network is scheduled to go live in October.
Visit www.finder.com.au/ nbn-tracker/map for more information.
