BUSINESSES need more bandwidth.
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That’s what Bathurst Business Chamber president Angus Edwards has been hearing as the National Broadband Network beds down in the city.
Connecting Australia, a report commissioned by NBN Co, says the network will help create hundreds of new businesses and jobs in the Central West.
But Mr Edwards is more cautious about the effect the NBN is having on Bathurst, saying the network in residential homes has been a “step up” from previous services, but overall it has proven so far to be a “mixed bag”.
“It really depends on your needs,” he said.
“It’s definitely proven to be a big difference to the old ADSL, but what I’m hearing is that businesses need more bandwidth.
“What businesses need is access to higher speed internet and a reliable service provider.
“People should just shop around and find what service best suits their needs.”
Connecting Australia projects that by 2021, the NBN will assist in the creation of 260 to 500 extra businesses in the Central West, as well as 350 to 780 extra people being able to work from home and 550 to 1040 extra workers becoming self-employed.
Almost all of Bathurst has now been switched on to the NBN, according to NBN Co.
It says a small area of vacant land in Windradyne and a small area off the O’Connell Road near The Scots School are in the process of being added to the network.
Head of NBN Local for NSW and ACT, Amber Dornbusch, said the Bathurst region is in a strong position to take advantage of access to broadband.
“New businesses in Bathurst are set to join a predicted 24,850 additional businesses created across NSW by 2021 as a result of the NBN access network,” she said.
“It’s encouraging to see early signs of growth in the region as a result of connectivity, with local businesses taking advantage of access to fast broadband to expand their market and increase productivity.”