September 7, 2015
Hopes that NBNCo may soon begin rolling out fixed line broadband services in the South Burnett appear to be premature.
An NBNCo spokesperson told southburnett.com.au on Monday that fixed line broadband would be rolled out to Fernvale and Lowood within the next few months.
However, she did not believe any South Burnett towns were included in the current 18-month plan.
Fixed wireless broadband services are already available throughout most of the South Burnett.
Fixed line services are expected to be eventually available in Blackbutt, Yarraman, Nanango, Kingaroy, Wondai and Murgon.
So which is true. The article “Copper Phone Network to Close” dated September 1 states “Most of the South Burnett is expected to be covered by fixed wireless towers by the end of this year, and homes or businesses which aren’t within line-of-sight of a tower will soon be able to access new communication satellites that are being launched to “fill in the blanks”.” Does this mean no NBN fixed lines and we are all forced onto the more expensive wireless?
From speaking to an NBNCo rep yesterday, we believe there is nothing inconsistent between the two reports. Most of the South Burnett is covered by wireless broadband already, and some areas will be serviced by satellite. However, fixed line broadband is also coming … most likely to the town CBDs only, and not for the next 18 months or even longer.