NBN rolls out at rapid rate

APRIL 15, 2016: THE reality regarding access to NBN services for the people of this region is that it’s happening at a cracking pace, and many residents have access but have not yet opted to connect.Nearly all of my electorate of Dawson , including Mackay, Proserpine and the Whitsundays, Bowen and the Burdekin, will have access to the NBN by the end of next year.That means this region will be two years ahead of the full scheduled rollout prediction of 2020.What we have taking place here is a huge shift in communications technology, and that can get confusing because residents will connect to the NBN via a mix of technologies.You might connect via a fixed line, which is either Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Fibre to the Node (FTTN), or via fixed wireless, and those in more remote areas might connect via satellite.In some areas the NBN build is complete, in others it’s under way, or starting soon.But everyone is getting that access in some way, shape or form.Depending on the technology selected for your premise, it generally takes from 6-8 months before you can order a service.I also want to advise residents they have 18 months to switch over to the NBN, so they should not feel pressured by providers seeking to sell their services.Here are some more of the facts on NBN access.[box style="1 or 2"]Fixed line NBN service

• 13,500 premises across Mackay, East Mackay, West Mackay, South Mackay, Ooralea, Paget and Bakers Creek have access to a fixed line NBN service (4,000, or 30%, have switched on in the past six months)
• The NBN build is under way in Airlie Beach, Sarina, Hay Point and Seaforth, and will commence before the end of the year in Proserpine, Bucasia, Beaconsfield, Rural View, Eimeo, Blacks Beach, Bucasia and Shoal Point
• The NBN build will commence in the first quarter of 2017 for more than 11,000 premises in North Mackay, Andergrove, Beaconsfield, Cremorne, Glenella, Mackay Harbour, Mt Pleasant and Slade Point
• The NBN build in the Airlie Beach region covers 6,900 premises across Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Cannon Valley and Jubilee Pocket, and the first switch on should take place in May
• The NBN build in the Ayr region covering 7,600 premises across Ayr, Brandon and Home Hill is under way and the first switch on should take place mid-year
• The NBN design phase for about 4,000 premises in Bowen is currently underway

Fixed wireless serviceThis is well advanced with 8000 premises across the Mackay Regional Council area now able to order a service (only 35% have done so to date). Residents in these areas can talk to a provider about whether the NBN is available for their premise.

• Conder Range
• Alligator Creek South
• Koumala
• Kuttabul
• Marian North
• Mount Blackwood
• Bloomsbury West
• Devereux Creek
• Bakers Creek
• Farleigh
• Dumbleton
• Oakenden West
• Eton
• Victoria Plains
• Calen
• Balnagownan South
• Farleigh North
• Walkerston
• Alligator Creek
• Black Mountain Nindaroo
• Sunnyside
• Habana
• Grasstree Beach
• Campwin Beach
• Hay Point
• Yakapari
• Midge Point

Sky Muster satellite serviceThis will become available for orders at the end of April. The satellite service is for users outside towns and cities.[/box]