By Alesha Capone
MORE than 8000 properties in Hume will be among the first places across Australia to have access to the national broadband network, a $35.9 billion Federal Government project.
The network, also known as the ‘NBN’, will be connected to 8300 Tullamarine homes, businesses and other premises.
Among a list of 28 new NBN recipient areas released last week, Tullamarine, South Morang and Melton were named.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard said work would begin to link Tullamarine properties with the NBN during May next year.
In the Whittlesea municipality, a further 10,500 addresses will be connected to the NBN and another 2600 places in Melton.
Work is presently underway to join almost 3000 South Morang properties to the NBN.
The NBN’s high speed fibre cabling is set to provide more than 90 per cent of internet users across the nation with faster connection and download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second.
Hume Council CEO Domenic Isola said the announcement “was an exciting development for local householders and businesses”.
“The social and economic benefits that this roll out brings are important in supporting Hume’s continual advancement as one of Melbourne’s most energetic growth corridors,” Mr Isola said.
“The extension of this high speed fibre optic cable to Tullamarine reflects the importance of the northern suburbs in urban growth planning for Victoria.
Tullamarine business owner Nella from Elasta Hairdressing & Beauty Supplies said the national broadband network would have benefits for traders operating within the area.
Nella said her employees often used the internet for marketing and research purposes.
“I think it would be good because we use the internet quite a lot and sometimes it’s a bit slow, so it would be great if it could be faster,” she said.
The NBN Co, which was set-up by the government to plan the network’s roll-out, said it could take around a year until all Tullamarine properties connected to the NBN would be able to use it.
“On average it is expected to take 12 months from the start of the fibre network rollout in a given area until individuals are able to receive high-speed broadband over the NBN,” a statement from NBN Co said.
