NBN rollout gets to work
THE rollout of the NBN broadband access network in Townsville is almost complete with 99 per cent of homes and businesses able to connect through a phone or internet provider.
As the region reaches this milestone, new research reveals Australia is estimated to move from being in the bottom 10 countries in the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development group for internet equality to the top 10 by 2021.
It also shows access to fast broadband is spurring growth in new businesses in North Queensland, and is projected to help contribute to the creation of 300 to 870 additional businesses by 2021.
Up to 140 additional businesses were estimated to have been created in 2017.
The data comes from the Connecting Australia report, the nation’s first social and economic study into the impact of the NBN conducted by data analytics and economic firm AlphaBeta and commissioned by NBN Co.
It also estimates the rollout of the NBN access network contributed up to an additional 80 people in the area working primarily from home in 2017.
This figure is estimated to grow to between 270 and 610 by 2021.
An additional 590 to 1120 North Queensland residents are predicted to be self- employed by 2021, with up to 180 new people already self- employed as a result of access to services over the NBN access network. Head of NBN for Queensland Ryan Williams said the rollout of the NBN access network in the Townsville region was almost complete.
“As the first part of Queensland to be connected to the NBN access network, our research shows this connectivity revolution is spurring rapid growth in the digital economy and regional businesses across the Townsville region,” Mr Williams said.
“Residents can work from home and create new business opportunities.”
The announcement coincides with another milestone for NBN Co with more than four million Australian homes and businesses – one in three – now connected to services over the NBN access network with a majority 58 per cent in regional and rural Australia.
There are currently more than 80,000 homes and businesses in Townsville which are able to order a service over the NBN access network from a retailer.