Regional, remote, and outer-urban areas now have faster broadband and more data following the Albanese Government’s $480 million upgrade to NBN Co’s Fixed Wireless and Satellite services.
Around 800,000 premises can now access broadband speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps. These increased speeds allow for smoother streaming, faster downloads and uploads, and stronger connections – even with multiple devices online at the same time.
The fixed wireless upgrades have already delivered increased average end-user download speeds for households from around 48Mbps in 2022 to over 100 Mbps today.
“Fast, reliable, affordable internet is an essential building block of any modern economy, boosting productivity, enabling innovation and creating jobs,” says Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.
“Families and businesses in our regions and suburbs should have equal access to the opportunities the NBN delivers. Labor founded the NBN on this principle.”
“Faster, more reliable internet allows smoother streaming, faster downloads and uploads, and stronger connections – even with multiple devices online at the same time.”
Using the latest 4G and 5G wireless technology has also enabled an additional 120,000 premises to access fixed wireless for the first time.
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NBN Co has launched two faster speed tiers: around 90% of premises in the fixed wireless footprint can now access speeds of up to 200-250 Mbps download. Around 80% of premises can access speeds of up to 400 Mbps.
These upgraded services are helping to meet Australia’s growing demand for data.
The average Australian household is using more than 450GB of data per month with around 22 connected devices. This is forecast to increase to 1 Terabyte and more than 40 devices by the end of the decade.
“It enables access to essential government services, banking and telehealth, and learning and working online,” she adds.
“The completion of these upgrades demonstrates what can be done with a publicly-owned NBN Co.”
In addition to fixed wireless upgrades, the program has also improved NBN’s Sky Muster satellite service, which provides much-needed connectivity options for more than 200,000 households and businesses in regional and remote Australia.
Thanks to the Albanese Government, customers now have unlimited data through NBN Co’s Sky Muster Plus Premium, providing download speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
“In contrast, Peter Dutton wants to privatise the NBN, reducing services and making high speed internet more expensive for all Australians.”
The $480 million upgrade complements the Albanese Government’s nation-building investment to deliver a world-class NBN fibre network, backed by an additional $3 billion equity investment.
