Building a superfast broadband network

A network for the 21st century

Australia needs a new superfast broadband network to provide our communications framework both now and in the future. Our existing telecommunications networks are facing increasing demand for broadband services and cannot support our future needs.

The Government has established a company to roll out and operate a new fibre optic network across the nation to 'future proof' our telecommunications networks and offer faster access in the years to come. The National Broadband Network is the single largest nation building infrastructure project in Australian history.

The objective is to connect up to 90 per cent of homes and workplaces with broadband speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps). This is enough to support the use of high‑definition video conferencing by businesses, and for enhanced education and health applications.

In other parts of Australia, households, businesses and communities will have consistent broadband speeds of at least 12 Mbps delivered through next generation wireless and satellite technologies. This is much faster than existing speeds generally available in many areas.

It is anticipated that the network will be rolled out in Tasmania from mid‑2009 and in the rest of Australia from 2010.