152/04
9 November 2004
Faster Internet Service for Warren and Nyngan
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan announced during a visit to the electorate of Parkes today that people living in Warren will be able to immediately access ADSL broadband services and that residents of Nyngan will be able to access broadband shortly.
"The Government is committed to ensuring all Australians, regardless of where they live, have access to high quality, affordable telecommunications services," Senator Coonan said.
"We have already invested more than $1 billion into ensuring services, such as broadband technology and mobile phone coverage, are upgraded and improved - particularly for people living in rural, regional and remote Australia.
"Faster internet service will be available in both Warren and Nyngan thanks to this investment and the Government's Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS)."
The $107.8 million HiBIS offers financial incentives for service providers to supply high speed broadband services in regional areas at prices comparable to those in metropolitan areas.
There are now 17 HiBIS providers, many of them in rural and regional areas, and tens of thousands of regional Australians are now enjoying more affordable and accessible broadband.
"Before HiBIS, 150 people living in Warren would have had to register their interest for broadband to be provided," Senator Coonan said.
"HiBIS has lowered that broadband demand register threshold to just 70 - a target easily met in the Warren area with 72 expressions of interest already registered.
"This means from today people living in Warren can now receive ADSL broadband. Nyngan also has 72 expressions of interest and will have access to ADSL broadband shortly.
"Access to broadband services is critical to the ongoing productivity and survival of our businesses.
"I am pleased that the many residents living in Warren and Nyngan will now be able to access faster and more reliable internet services.
"These achievements are not possible without a strong local community and a local member who really stands up for his constituents like John Cobb. I congratulate John for lobbying so hard for broadband in his electorate."
Media Contact: Jane McMillan 0438 690 305