The Hon Michelle Rowland MP
Minister for Communications

Sharon Claydon MP
Member for Newcastle
Deputy Speaker

Households and businesses in Wallsend, Stockton, Shortland, North Lambton, New Lambton, Merewether, Maryland, Lambton, Kotara, Islington, Hamilton, Glendale, Elermore vale, Cooks Hill, Cardiff, Broadmeadow, Adamstown Heights, Adamstown will be able to upgrade to a full-fibre broadband connection as part of the Australian Governments plan for a better NBN.

These upgrades are part of the NBNs fibre upgrade program which has been boosted by the Albanese Governments $2.4 billion investment to expand full-fibre access to 1.5 million additional premises by the end of 2025. This includes over 660,000 premises in regional Australia.

The copper broadband network a legacy of the former Coalition Government is slower, less reliable and more likely to experience prolonged faults. In contrast, world-class fibre broadband means faster upload and download speeds, and a more reliable connection for local residents.

The benefits are even more pronounced for larger households if many devices are used, as higher speeds means the whole family can be online at the same time. An upgrade will be available on-demand where an eligible household orders a higher speed plan than would currently be available to them over copper.

NBN Co expects eligible premises announced today will be able to access a full-fibre upgrade from 2024.

The Albanese Labor Government is delivering the positive change Australians voted for.

For a full list of eligible suburbs or to register for updates, visit: nbnco.com.au/residential/upgrades/fttp-upgrade-with-higher-speed-tiers

Quotes attributable to Sharon Claydon MP:

"These investments will make a noticeable difference to Novocastrians who have been facing slow or patchy NBN connections through the former Coalition Governments copper broadband network.

"We all know how frustrating slow internet can be to households, business owners and everyday Novocastrians. These upgrades will provide access to world-class fibre broadband, resulting in faster upload and download speeds and a more reliable connection. I'm proud to belong to a Government that's delivering on its plan for a better NBN."

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

"Affordable, reliable and high-speed broadband is no longer a nice to have. It is an economic and social necessity that will drive productivity improvements and global competitiveness. For too long, locals residents and small businesses in Newcastle stuck on the Coalitions ageing copper network have been held back by slow and unreliable broadband.

"The Albanese Governments $2.4 billion investment will enable the NBNs full potential. Were giving Australian families and small businesses access to the world-class broadband infrastructure they deserve.

MONDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2023