2 March 2005
Hinkler speeds ahead with ADSL broadband
The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, announced during a visit to Bundaberg today that four new towns in the electorate of Hinkler will receive ADSL broadband.
"I am pleased to announce that Mt Larcom, Mundubbera, Calliope and Agnes Water will have their exchanges upgraded to receive ADSL broadband, with the help of the Government's Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS)," Senator Coonan said.
Mt Larcom and Mundubbera exchanges will be upgraded immediately, Calliope will follow on March 4 and Agnes Water will be upgraded on 11 March.
"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 services are being made available in Hinkler thanks to this investment, Telstra and the Government's HiBIS scheme."
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 more than 25 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.
"Access to broadband services is critical to the ongoing productivity and survival of our businesses," Senator Coonan said.
"I am pleased that the many residents living in Hinkler will now be able to access faster and more reliable internet services.
"These achievements are not possible without a strong local community and a strong local member who really stands up for his constituents - Paul Neville.
"I congratulate Paul for lobbying so hard for broadband in his electorate."
More information on the Government's HiBIS program is available at www.telinfo.gov.au.
Media Contact: Jane McMillan 0438 690 305