NBN rollout gathers momentum in Victoria

The rollout of the National Broadband Network in Victoria continues to gather pace with the release today of construction maps covering a further 27,600 homes and businesses.

The new fibre maps cover 11 different construction modules and include the first locations in Carlton and Creswick where work to rollout the fibre optic network has commenced. They also include areas where the construction footprint is being widened, including Melton, South Morang, Tullamarine and Ballarat. (The full list is attached below).

The start of construction entails NBN Co contractors undertaking detailed design and survey works in each location for the installation of the fibre optic cables that will deliver superfast broadband to the area.

On average it takes around 12 months from the start of construction to the time when householders and business owners can order NBN retail services from telephone or internet service providers.

By mid-2015, construction is forecast to have commenced or completed on delivering the NBN to more than 690,000 premises across the state and 3.5 million premises nationwide.

"The release of these maps signals to residents and businesses that they are on the way to being able to benefit from the vital upgrade to communications in Victoria and take advantage of the benefits that the NBN offers," Lalla Mackenzie, NBN Co's Lead Community Account Manager, said today.

"People will be able to make high-quality video calls with fewer drop outs, download movies in minutes, stream TV, and have all the family online at once*.

"Information is already available online about the plans and packages that telephone and internet service providers are offering over the NBN. The details of which service providers are operating in individual areas will be available closer to service activation at www.nbnco.com.au/serviceproviders," Mrs Mackenzie said.

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Lucy Bourchier

0450 903 083

* Your experience depends on some factors outside our control, like your equipment quality, software, broadband plans and how your service provider designs its network.

Communities that will see on-site design and survey works leading to the installation of fibre; and construction across Victoria:

Key:

Fibre Serving Area (FSA)
Each FSA is made up of a number of Fibre Serving Area Modules (FSAMs).

Fibre Serving Area Module (FSAM) Localities:
Each Fibre Serving Area Module (FSAM) covers around 3,000 premises and is surrounded by a loop of fibre.

** First FSAM in an area.