First mainland NBN trial launched in Armidale

Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) went live for the first time on mainland Australia yesterday, with the launch of the first mainland trial for the network, in the regional town of Armidale.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Minister for Broadband, Senator Stephen Conroy, attended the launch in Armidale.

According to Conroy’s department, the NBN will “help create jobs, provide greater training options, support regional growth and improve health and education services across rural and regional Australia”.

Conroy’s department expects the Armidale NBN footprint to ultimately cover 4882 premises, including the University of New England.

The Armidale trials are being carried out by four telecommunications providers: iiNet, Internode, iPrimus and Telstra.

Internode Managing Director Simon Hackett said Internode was pleased to be one of the forerunners.

“The NBN is a long game, but Internode is committed to being first with the NBN in every new area that it rolls out,” Hackett said.

Commercial services will begin from September and more providers will be offering services from that time.

Armidale is one of five first-release sites where the NBN is being trialled on mainland Australia. The remaining sites - Kiama Downs and Minnamurra (NSW), Townsville (Qld), Willunga (SA) and Brunswick (Vic) - will begin offering services progressively over the coming months.

Industry reaction

The Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) said that the Armidale trial presents an “essential opportunity to pilot skills and education initiatives enabled by high-speed broadband”.

“Education plays a critical role in the economic performance of every nation,” said Philip Croni, AIIA National Chair and General Manager of Intel Australia and New Zealand.

“Quality education is directly connected to higher productivity at a national level and increased salaries for individuals in the labour market. The NBN will contribute to Australia’s education and training capabilities in a very significant way as well as being central to the productivity dividend that technology will deliver.”

Cronin said that in response to the launch, the industry must develop practical projects that demonstrate the benefits of the NBN.

“This means clearly documenting the ways in which we can empower sustainable communities in regional Australia by providing access to better skills and education opportunities through virtual classrooms and distance learning.”