Eden-Monaro: National Broadband "Royally Shafted"

The Eden-Monaro Member of Parliament, Peter Hendy, has given an assurance the New South Wales south east will be included in the National Broadband Network's rollout of fibre optic cable.

There are concerns that NBN Co's plans to set up infrastructure for a fixed wireless network on the south coast would exclude most of the area from receiving fibre to the home or node.

But Dr Hendy says the wireless technology is designed specifically to service remote areas.

He says fibre is already being laid at two places in the region.
“Fibre to the premises is actually being rolled out right now in parts of Eden-Monaro,” Dr Hendy said.

“There's the new development in the Googong area around Queanbeyan and they're rolling our fibre right now and there is also a new development down near Tomakin at Barlings Beach and that's happening now.

But not everyone agrees...

An Information technology specialist says he will believe the National Broadband Network is delivering a fixed wireless network for the south coast when he sees it.

NBN Co has announced it is searching for locations to set up transmission towers to service the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla.

Karl Auer is a Bega Valley computer consultant and says fixed wireless is better than nothing, but it still will not be as good as fibre optic internet.

But he says he is not convinced it will even happen.

“I must say that I've become very cynical about the whole plan,” Mr Auer said.

“I will believe what we get when I see we've got it.

“ And until then I'm afraid I'm not prepared to believe any pronouncements sadly by the NBN Co or by the Government because I think that once again we are about to get royally shafted.”