Its On: NBN Hits Coffs

Fibre broadband is on the loose in Coffs Harbour and even the local schoolkids are singing along to the Labor’s $38bn NBN tune.
The Minister for Broadband, Senator Stephen Conroy, switched on the first National Broadband Network fibre services in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, yesterday.

Conroy and local Senator Matt Thistlethwaite even roped the local school kids to “showcase the benefits” of the NBN, and demo a virtual singing lesson via NBN with Opera Australia singer, Taryn Fiebig, at the opening.

“Today’s singing lesson is just one example of the possibilities for education offered by the Gillard Government’s world class National Broadband Network, particularly for people living outside our capital cities,” Senator Conroy said.

Coffs Harbour is the third site in NSW with access the NBN and rollout ramping up across the state, Conroy promised.

Just 34,500 Australians are currently connected to NBN.

NBN Co, under major pressure from the Opposition about meeting its construction rollout targets, say by mid-2015, fibre construction will have commenced/completed over 1 million premises in NSW state.

“I urge everyone in Coffs Harbour to make the switch to the NBN’s superfast broadband,” Conroy said.

“The cost of the NBN for customers is cheaper than or comparable to what people are paying now, with the NBN providing a vastly superior service.”

Around 2,600 premises can now connect to fibre broadband in Coffs Harbour, and work has started on a further 23,000 premises.

As well as Coffs, work has commenced in Korora, Sapphire Beach, Sawtell and Tormina, and is expected to be completed this year.

And in what could be read as an early election line, Conroy added: “Only under Labor will all Australians get the fast, affordable broadband future they need.”

It had better hurry up rollout then.