The city of Toowoomba dialled into a new digital age today with University of Southern Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Jan Thomas launching the city’s connection to the National Broadband Network.
Professor Thomas joined civic leaders at City Hall to formally mark the connection of parts of the city to the network, signalling the arrival of super fast broadband on the Darling Downs.
About 1,700 homes and businesses are now able to connect to the NBN in Toowoomba, the first city in South East Queensland to join the network.
The Vice-Chancellor said online and distance support had become a crucial tool in education.
“It makes absolute sense that Toowoomba is a high priority for connection to the NBN because this is, after all, The Education Capital.
“The provision of high-speed internet access is absolutely critical for our students’ success — from primary school right through to tertiary education,” Professor Thomas said.
“We are seeing a significant increase in the number of students enrolling in our university programs and studying on-line because USQ is truly a world leader in this area.
“With the high-speed internet connections provided by the NBN, even more students will be able to take advantage of the on-line delivery of education programs giving them more flexibility in how and where they study.”
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio welcomed the opportunities the NBN would bring to people who live and work in the leading educational and economic centre for the Darling Downs region.
“It is a special privilege to be the first city in South East Queensland to connect to the NBN,” Cr Antonio.
“We’re excited about the growth and innovation opportunities it brings to our local businesses and industry, but also the flexibility it allows our students to study online and keep in touch with family, particularly those attending boarding school here.
“It’s a significant milestone for the community and we’re looking forward to making the most of it.”
President of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Andrew Wielandt, said the NBN was potentially a game-changer for the regional economy.
“The NBN will enhance the way people in our local region live and work. I would urge families and businesses to sign up to the NBN so they can take advantage of the benefits superfast broadband will bring to one of Australia’s most liveable cities.”
The fibre optic broadband network will replace copper telephone lines across Australia over the next eight and half years.
Work has commenced on rolling out the NBN to 26,000 Toowoomba premises, including the 1,700 now able to connect.
Construction is planned to have commenced or be completed for more than 678,000 homes and businesses across Queensland – and 3.5 million, or a third of the nation’s premises – by mid-2015.
Six internet service providers are ready to sign up families and businesses to the NBN. They are: iiNet, Telstra, Internode, iPrimus, TransACT and Westnet.
Tell a friend!
