What to expect with the Regional Connectivity Program
The nbn network is the essential infrastructure that helps connect people to each other and provides access to the crucial tools and services that support everyday needs in a fast-changing digital world.
And right now across Australia, progress is being made to deliver enhancements to the nbn network under the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
In locations like Alpha (Queensland), Halls Creek (Western Australia), Yirrkala (Northern Territory), Geeveston (Tasmania), Hopetoun (Victoria), and Wudinna (South Australia), projects co-funded by nbn, government and business will help improve digital connectivity across regional, rural and remote Australia.
So, what does this mean for eligible customers in these RCP-funded locations?
Round One locations
Augathella and Morven, Queensland
Birregurra, Victoria
Geeveston, Tasmania
Halls Creek, Western Australia
Hopetoun, Victoria
Kaniva, Victoria
Lewiston East, South Australia
Murchison, Victoria
Rushworth, Victoria
Surat, Queensland
Teesdale, Victoria
Timboon, Victoria
Wudinna, South Australia
Yirrkala, Northern Territory
Costa Group, Guyra and Falconer, New South Wales
For those living and working in one of the 18 locations announced under Round One, you may already be seeing activity happening in the area – or you soon will.
This may include our authorised Delivery Partners surveying areas, assessing the existing telecommunications network in your street, speaking with landowners, and organising meetings with the wider community.
Construction work may have begun or is due to commence soon and will generally take several months.
If your property is within the scope of the RCP enhancements to the nbn network, documentation may have or will soon be posted or delivered to you outlining our Delivery Partner’s activities, which include needing to access your front yard to assess your current connection. (If the pipe that feeds from the street is damaged beyond repair, this may need replacing by nbn.)
Installing equipment, both internal and external, at your home or business will also be scheduled so keep an eye out for notifications.
Next steps for eligible customers
Round Two locations
Cunnamulla, Queensland
Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia
Julia Creek, Queensland
Lameroo and Pinnaroo, South Australia (Fixed Wireless technology)
Mullewa, Western Australia
Onslow, Western Australia
Quilpie, Queensland
Ravensthorpe, Western Australia
Sea Lake, Victoria
For those in one of the 10 locations announced under Round Two, early-stage planning and design work has begun.
Once planning and design is complete:
- Activity will commence that may include our authorised Delivery Partners surveying areas, assessing the existing telecommunications network in your street, speaking with landowners, and organising meetings with the wider community.
- If your property is within the scope of the RCP enhancements to the nbn network, documentation will be posted or delivered to you outlining our Delivery Partner’s activities, which include needing to access your front yard to assess your current connection. (If the pipe that feeds from the street is damaged beyond repair, this may need replacing by nbn.)
- Installing equipment, both internal and external, at your home or business will also be scheduled so keep an eye out for notifications.
- Construction work will then begin and generally takes several months.
Next steps for eligible customers
What will happen at your home or business
Fibre to the Premises
nbn® Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) enables a faster, more reliable broadband connection by running a fibre optic line directly to homes and businesses.
For eligible customers in areas where the nbn access technology is changing to FTTP, you can expect:
- A fibre optic cable to be connected from the street to your premises via the existing telecommunications pathway, connecting to a small nbn utility box installed on an outside wall of your building.
- An nbn connection box will also need to be installed inside your premises, close to an existing power point, which may be at the same time as the external installation (if you are present and with your consent), or at a later date.
- Eligible homes and businesses will receive notification relating to the timing of survey and construction works that may be required at your premises.
- Once construction is finished, quality checks and other behind-the-scenes activity will take place.
- After final testing and activity is complete, and your premises has been declared ‘Ready for Service’, eligible customers will be notified to contact their preferred phone and internet provider to request the new fibre service.
Please note: This could be several months after equipment has been installed at your premises. If you weren’t able to have an nbn connection box installed at the same time as the nbn utility box, simply call your phone and internet provider.
- Your provider will request for nbn to complete the installation, which may include visiting your premises if external and/or internal equipment has not yet been installed.
Fixed Wireless
An nbn Fixed Wireless connection uses data transmitted via radio signals to connect premises to the nbn network, typically across distances of many kilometres.
For eligible customers in areas where the nbn access technology is changing to Fixed Wireless, you can expect:
- To see nbn or our authorised contactors building and/or installing equipment on a local Fixed Wireless tower.
- Once the area is declared ‘Ready for Service’, eligible customers within the coverage area will be able to order an nbn Fixed Wireless wholesale service from their choice of phone and internet provider.
- Your preferred provider should arrange for an nbn approved installer to visit and connect your premises to the nbn network.
- This involves installing an antenna, also known as an outdoor unit (ODU), on the outside of the premises and an nbn connection box inside the premises, and cabling between the two.
Last updated on 20 November 2022