Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Businesses in many areas of my electorate of Robertson are now able to access high-speed fibre broadband as the NBN rolls out their new Business Fibre Initiative. Under this program, businesses in Erina, Gosford, Kincumber, Kariong, Niagara Park, Ourimbah, West Gosford and Woy Woy will be able to request a business-grade broadband service at zero dollars upfront build cost through their retailer. This $700 million investment means that thousands of regional businesses will have access to improved broadband. This initiative by the NBN will transform zoned pricing structures to significantly reduce wholesale pricing for small business. CBD-equivalent wholesale pricing will be offered across all business zones, helping to eliminate the divide between CBD and regional broadband connectivity costs.

Rod Dever, from the Gosford-Erina & Coastal Chamber of Commerce, said that the announcement was welcomed by many businesses across the Central Coast, as connectivity is a big issue for many in our region. Peter from Flipside IT, which specialises in professional IT services, said it would make a huge difference to his clients in fibre zones. He said the additional investment by NBN will enable businesses to boost their digital capabilities, enabling them to remain competitive.

NBN has also made a $4.5 billion network investment in the residential market which will deliver ultrafast broadband to an additional six million homes and businesses by 2023 and will create 25,000 new jobs over the next two years. Fibre-to-the-premises connections will be built on demand only when— (Time expired)

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