Thousands of households and businesses will have access to improved connectivity as upgrades to fibre broadband get underway across the state. The Victorian Government is partnering with NBN Co to improve broadband connections with more than 1,000 kilometres of fibre, more than the distance between Melbourne and Sydney. Over the next two years, more than 34,000 residences and around 7,700 businesses across 54 suburbs – including Roxburgh Park, Pakenham South, Balnarring, Geelong, Grovedale, Buninyong and Wendouree – will benefit from speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, which is typically 10 times faster than currently available. The superfast speeds will make it easier for people to connect with loved ones and work or study from home. Victorians living across outer suburban, regional and rural areas have made it clear there are major connectivity issues holding back businesses and affecting people’s lives. This investment in new infrastructure will deliver better internet services where they are most needed. New Connecting Victoria broadband projects For illustrative purposes only. Part of the funding will also go towards five new Business Fibre Zones, where the Government is subsidising infrastructure to minimise costs for businesses. Businesses in these zones can start connecting from April. All fibre funded is due to be rolled out by mid-2024, with some locations being able to connect from mid-2023. The announcement is part of the $550 million Connecting Victoria program, fast-tracking better connections, and improving internet services for around 10,000 businesses. More upgrades to services across more locations will be announced throughout 2022. To keep up to date, visit vic.gov.au/connectingvictoria or subscribe to receive Connecting Victoria updates Article originally published DJPR News: 28 March 2022
Victorians have voiced their need for better mobile and broadband connections to improve economic growth and community safety. Connecting Victoria has released its engagement report. Through community engagement, the Connecting Victoria program received 11,000 survey responses and more than 110 formal submissions. About 300 people also attended 13 roundtables held across the state. The engagement report shows connectivity challenges exist right across Victoria, including the need to better support remote working and studying and telehealth, and to improve service quality. These insights from the engagement process will be used as part of the decision-making process for the $550 million Connecting Victoria program, which is fast-tracking mobile and broadband connectivity across the state. Locations to receive upgrades or new infrastructure will be announced throughout 2022. Visit the Connecting Victoria website for updates. A summary of what Victorians said is now available in our Engagement Report on Engage Victoria. Article originally published on DJPR News: 7 February 2022