Planning has started for over 20,000 premises in south west Queensland to connect to the National Broadband Network (NBN) via fixed wireless.
Fourteen council areas will be able to switch onto the NBN from mid-2013, including: Balonne Shire Council; Banana Shire Council; Central Highlands Regional Council; Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council; Goondiwindi Regional Council; Gympie Regional Council; Lockyer Valley Regional Council; Maranoa Regional Council; North Burnett Regional Council; Somerset Regional Council; South Burnett Regional Council; Southern Downs Regional Council; Toowoomba Regional Council; and Western Downs Regional Council.
A trial for the fixed wireless network is currently being carried out in Toowoomba, encompassing 290 homes and businesses, with another 450 premises to be connected to the trial in the near future.
Fixed wireless is also being rolled out to the Moree Plains area in northern NSW, with NBN connections expected from mid-2013.
A total of 93 per cent of homes and businesses will be connected to the NBN via fibre to the home, primarily in towns with more than 1000 premises.
Around four per cent of households will be connected via fixed wireless networks and another three per cent will be connected via satellite services.
The government has steadily rolled out planning for areas which will connect to the NBN through fixed wireless, including new that up to 5000 premises around Cairns would be able to switch onto the NBN from mid-next year.
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