Construction for the National Broadband Network (NBN) has commenced on 12,600 premises in Launceston, Somerset and Binalong Bay in Tasmania.
Construction has started on around 10,500 premises in Launceston and 2100 premises in Somerset and Binalong Bay.
A total of 8625 premises will also be connected to the NBN in Deloraine, George Town, St Helens, Scottsdale and Smithton, with Tasmania to be the first state in Australia to be completely connected to the network by the end of 2015.
“Tasmanians are embracing the NBN. The take up rate for people signing up to the NBN in sites active for more than 12 months is 18 per cent, well above NBN Co’s forecast take up rate of 11 per cent,” Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, said in a statement.
“High-definition video conferencing means children may be able to take classes their local school doesn’t offer and people will be able to consult with a specialist doctor from anywhere in Tasmania, or around the country, without travelling long distances.”
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