Broadband For SMBI

Council confirms priority but no date for Moreton Bay Islands national broadband connection. The Australian government has responded to representations from the city's Mayor Melva Hobson on the need for high priority national broadband connection to the Moreton Bay Islands.

Mayor Hobson said the islands have similar characteristics to poorly serviced regional areas and need to be treated as such.

Senator Stephen Conroy has replied acknowledging the priority for high-speed broadband services for those living in isolated areas such as the Moreton Bay Islands.

Confirming it plans a mix of services to the mainland and bay islands Senator Conroy said that NBN Co has brought forward plans to connect 'disadvantaged Australians to better broadband as soon as possible'.

However the Minister gave no specific dates and it remained unclear when the connections to the islands would be completed.

The NBN Co forecasts it will take 9.5 years to complete the national broadband network but expects to complete limited fixed wireless network connections by 2015.

Mayor Hobson said broadband will be a particularly vital part of future economic, social and service opportunities for the SMBI communities and North Stradbroke Island.

"Council will continue to actively lobby the Australian government for the earliest possible high speed broadband connection to the islands."

Under the plan for the National Broadband connections the Redlands will be served by a combination of technology including fibre to the premises (FTTP), next-generation fixed-wireless and next-generation satellite technologies.

Minister Conroy has indicated that Karragarra Island, Lamb Island, Russell and Macleay Islands, Long Island, Coochiemudlo Island, and Dunwich on the North Stradbroke Island will receive fibre to the premises connection (FTTP).

Next-generation fixed-wireless is planned for parts of North Stradbroke Island including Myora, One Mile and Deanbilla, and next-generation satellite coverage to Point Talburpin, Wallen Wallen, Canalpin, Price Anchorage and Arawoolum.