ABOUT 600 residents and businesses in Cervantes can access fast broadband following the recent switch on of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in the area.
It marks the start of an 18-month countdown for these premises to make the switch before most existing landline phone and internet services are replaced by services over the NBN .
“It’s really great news for residents and businesses within Cervantes, especially as using the internet has become part of our everyday lives and online multi-tasking is the new norm,” NBN co WA corporate affairs manager Ebony Aitken said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“As we move further into the digital age, fast and reliable broadband becomes more vital than ever in areas such as business, health, education, entertainment and leisure.”
A recent study commissioned by NBN co found those with access to the network were the greatest users, and the biggest increase was people living in regional areas, accounting for 1.7 hours more per day, at home during the week, than before.
“Most of us are getting online when we open our eyes and before we go to sleep, while a quarter of us (28 per cent) hit the internet when we wake in the night,” Ms Aitken said.
“Almost three quarters of us (73 per cent) do it while watching TV, a third while cooking (34 per cent) and some of us have even confessed to being online on the loo (33 per cent).”
Shire of Dandaragan President Leslee Holmes said it was exciting for the community of Cervantes to have access to fibre to the node technology, which would provide faster internet service for users at home and businesses.
“They will need to contact their service provider to discuss relevant plans and pricing to suits their needs,” he said.
“While there are no installation costs for a standard service there may be activation costs so please remember to check this with your service provider.”
Cervantes Pinnacles Motel and Pinnacles Edge Resort general manager Tony Monk welcomed the news, and said the network would make a major difference for staff and guests.
“Over the past few years, our international client base has continued to grow and is a key focus area to bring more tourism to the town,” he said.
“We’re also very eager to tap into the corporate conference market which nowadays relies so heavily on fast and reliable broadband; it’s hard to bring them to your property and drive business without it.”
Construction of the NBN recently started on about 1600 properties in Lancelin and Ledge Point.
Contractors have been in the area boring and digging trenches, installing new pits, and constructing cabinets as well as copper jointing and interfacing the copper network with the fibre network.
Visit www.nbnco.com.au/switch .