CONSTRUCTION is underway throughout Bathurst to connect more than 15,500 homes to the national broadband network (nbn).
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The northern region of Bathurst, including Llanarth, is the focus of construction at the moment.
The area borders Abercrombie and Laffing Waters to the north, Kelso and South Bathurst to the south and Windradyne and West Bathurst to the west.
Crews can be seen checking pits and pipes, laying the fibre backbone to the network and installing node cabinets throughout the area.
It is expected that people will be able to make the switch to the nbn from April next year.
NSW nbn spokesperson Marcela Balart said the start of construction is “terrific news” for Bathurst residents.
“By September next year, all Bathurst residents and businesses will have access to a network which is both fast and reliable; something that has been desperately needed in regional and rural Australia for many years,” she said.
“Not only will the nbn network bring greater opportunities in education, business, entertainment, health care and community engagement, it will also help enable locals to be more productive, more creative, more efficient and more connected for decades to come.”
The Central West is said to be one of the most connected regions across Australia.
More than 2300 residents and businesses located on the outskirts of Bathurst are already able to connect to the nbn through fixed wireless technology.
This includes Orton Park, Glanmire and Eglinton, while Orange, Mudgee and Dubbo have just recently switched onto the network.
Many premises in the area are also eligible to connect to the nbn through the Sky Muster satellite service that has been available to regional and remote Australians since late April of this year.
A second satellite was recently launched to provide greater capacity to the service.
“Bridging Australia’s digital divide is vital for regional areas like Bathurst. You shouldn’t have to live in major cities to compete locally or globally, and the nbn™ network allows people to do just that,” Ms Balart said.
More than three million Australian homes and businesses are able to connect to the nbn network.
Mayor Gary Rush said being able to access high speed internet through the new network will benefit everyone, businesses in particular.
“It will help local businesses maximise their potential and will support our endeavours to attract businesses and those looking to move from major centres to Bathurst,” he said.