Families and businesses need high speed internet at an affordable price, and the Federal Labor Government will deliver that as we build Australia’s future.
The Federal Labor Government will fund the upgrade of Australia’s remaining national fibre-to-the node (FTTN) network through an equity injection of up to $3 billion, with NBN Co contributing more than $800 million to the project.
The Government will deliver this significant milestone while guaranteeing NBN Co will remain in public ownership.
Australians owning NBN Co is the best means of ensuring prices for high speed internet remain affordable for all Australians.
While the Federal Labor Government will complete the National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout, our political opponents want to strand Australians on ageing copper connections.
Given the opportunity, the Liberal and National parties will also privatise NBN Co. Peter Dutton made this clear when he instructed his Party to vote against Government legislation to keep the NBN Co in public hands in late 2024.
Fast, reliable, affordable internet is an essential building block of any modern economy. Connectivity boosts national productivity, enables innovation, and creates jobs.
Modelling by Accenture suggests the FTTN upgrade program will provide a $10.4 billion cumulative uplift in GDP over the next decade.
The modelling suggests individual households could save more than 100 hours and $2,580 per year in avoided travel time and costs from accessing faster broadband.
The new FTTN upgrades will deliver access to higher internet speeds for around 622,000 additional premises, with the upgrades delivered by 2030.
This landmark investment builds on the Federal Labor Government’s $2.4 billion outlay for FTTN upgrades.
The Government has provided access to faster and more reliable broadband for 1.5 million premises across Australia, including 660,000 in rural and regional communities.
The upgrades are being delivered on time and budget.
When the upgrade program is complete, more than 94% of premises on the fixed line network – over 11 million homes and businesses - will have access to connections enabling speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
A small proportion of more complex premises will need to undergo further design analysis and may be upgraded through other technology solutions, offering speeds up to 400Mbps.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland:
“Fast and reliable broadband is essential infrastructure now, in 2025, and in the long term.
“That’s why we’re committed to working with NBN Co to finish the job of upgrading the network to give thousands more Australians access to world-class broadband speeds.
“This investment will see the final fibre to the node premises reap the benefits of faster broadband coming to 622,000 homes and businesses.
“On top of our previous $2.4 billion investment to support NBN Co’s upgrade program and our promise to keep the NBN in public hands, this announcement shows our commitment to delivering a better NBN for Australians.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP:
“I welcome the Federal Labor Government’s announcement of a further $3 billion investment to ensure all Australia have fast and reliable access to the National Broadband Network.
“Here on the Central Coast, in my electorate of Robertson, 9,214 additional premises will receive access to high-speed fibre, and in the electorate of Dobell, an extra 4,879 premises.
“Overall, 98.9% of premises in Robertson and 98.3% in Dobell will have gigabit speed capability by 2030.
“In addition to the above electorates, an additional 3,331 premises across the electorate of Shortland, which includes northern Central Coast suburbs such as Chain Valley Bay and Budgewoi, will be eligible for an upgrade under the Federal Labor Government plans”, Dr Reid said.
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