By Patrick Avenell
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is now live in Willunga, around 50 kilometres out of Adelaide, in South Australia. This site is the fifth and final location of the NBN first release rollout.
According to Senator Stephen Conroy, the Minister responsible for the NBN, this has been the most successful first release site on the Australian continent.
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"The Gillard Government’s world class National Broadband Network will enhance the lives of all Australians and today’s launch in Willunga, the first site in South Australia, is a key achievement in the rollout of the NBN," he said.
"All Australians deserve to be connected to the NBN. It will bring economic growth but it will also enhance the way we care for our families and ourselves, the way we share knowledge and information, and the way we trade our goods and services.
"The residents of Willunga have clearly recognised the benefits of high speed broadband, with the highest take up rate of any first release site on the mainland. More than 90 per cent of residents have signed up for a free fibre connection.”
The next stage will soon be upon us, with Armidale, Coffs Harbour and Kiama in New South Wales, and Townsville in Queensland, currently undergoing preliminary site work. Similar progress will begin in Geraldton in Western Australia in October 2011.