The National Broadband Network (NBN) has arrived in the Riverland, with a 'build commenced' status designated for the Loxton and Glossop areas.
Senator for South Australia Anne Ruston, a member of the NBN Select Committee who is also based in the region, welcomed the addition of Riverland communities to the latest NBN rollout map.
"This is great news for the Riverland, which has been waiting for fast internet services for a long time," Senator Ruston said.
"The Abbott Government is committed to delivering an NBN more quickly, at a lower cost to taxpayers and which is more affordable for consumers than the previous Labor government's version.
"When the build is completed, households and businesses in the Glossop and Loxton areas connected to the NBN will be able to enjoy download speeds of up 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to five megabits per second.
"The NBN's fixed wireless network uses cellular technology to transmit signals but unlike mobile networks, a local fixed wireless facility is designed to service a set number of premises, which means the available bandwidth per premise is fairly consistent, even at peak usage times."
'Build commenced' means that NBN Co has issued contract instructions to construction partners so they can commence work in the area. The 'build commenced' boundaries are subject to change as a result of boundary changes which may be made during the construction process.
"Unlike Labor, which deliberately attempted to mislead voters with an NBN rollout map that vastly exaggerated the network's progress, the Abbott Government is committed to giving Australians an accurate and honest picture of what's happening," Senator Ruston said.
"The Coalition's NBN also reflects our commitment to ensure that rural, regional and remote Australia is a priority for the rollout – last month the NBN became available to more than 30 rural and regional communities, including Meningie and Tailem Bend in South Australia."
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