Thursday, August 24, 2006
Hastings Council Broadband Network
As part of its ongoing plan to provide a broadband network for the whole of the region Port Macquarie - Hastings Council has worked closely with the local Community Reference Group to complete the mapping of the telecommunications infrastructure and needs for many parts of the region. This exercise included identifying key community services, facilities and businesses, for whom high speed communications are becoming more critical in the daily efficiency of business and in providing services to consumers such as, from the shop retailer, doctor or educational facilities.
On 15 July the Port Macquarie – Hastings Council submitted an expression of interest to the Australian Government, for funding under a Government plan to assist communities throughout Australia to gain access to broadband. The Hastings proposal was also supported by Country Energy, Mid-Coast Internet and TSN who are already supplying internet facilities to parts of the region.
The key principle of the Hastings submission was to demonstrate the need to provide broadband services to all potential Hastings consumers on an equitable basis. As the region varies greatly in its population density and geographical terrain, a range of alternative technologies are proposed. This includes: provision of broadband fibre optics to the home in our current urban areas; connection of a backbone fibre network linking our urban growth areas; wireless networks to cover our low density coastal and rural residential areas; and microwave links to our rural villages with local wireless broadband services. Isolated valleys and properties in the Hastings will be served with options including broadband over power lines, satellite or wireless technologies.
The outcome of our funding submission to the Australian Government will directly affect the progress of the broadband rollout plans.
Pending the outcome of the EOI, the ongoing responsibility for the project will continue under the auspice of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, however it is proposed to establish a board of management, with a formal charter, to coordinate the delivery and operation of the proposed network. Council will appoint the board with representation from the Council, key supporting partners, industry, retailers and users.
Council will be providing updates on its Broadband program through the Community Newsletter and on its website.
Further information regarding the Broadband project contact
Broadband Project Manager
Fionnuala Livingston on 6581 8057
or email broadband@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
On 15 July the Port Macquarie – Hastings Council submitted an expression of interest to the Australian Government, for funding under a Government plan to assist communities throughout Australia to gain access to broadband. The Hastings proposal was also supported by Country Energy, Mid-Coast Internet and TSN who are already supplying internet facilities to parts of the region.
The key principle of the Hastings submission was to demonstrate the need to provide broadband services to all potential Hastings consumers on an equitable basis. As the region varies greatly in its population density and geographical terrain, a range of alternative technologies are proposed. This includes: provision of broadband fibre optics to the home in our current urban areas; connection of a backbone fibre network linking our urban growth areas; wireless networks to cover our low density coastal and rural residential areas; and microwave links to our rural villages with local wireless broadband services. Isolated valleys and properties in the Hastings will be served with options including broadband over power lines, satellite or wireless technologies.
The outcome of our funding submission to the Australian Government will directly affect the progress of the broadband rollout plans.
Pending the outcome of the EOI, the ongoing responsibility for the project will continue under the auspice of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, however it is proposed to establish a board of management, with a formal charter, to coordinate the delivery and operation of the proposed network. Council will appoint the board with representation from the Council, key supporting partners, industry, retailers and users.
Council will be providing updates on its Broadband program through the Community Newsletter and on its website.
Further information regarding the Broadband project contact
Broadband Project Manager
Fionnuala Livingston on 6581 8057
or email broadband@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
# posted by Peter Saville - IT Consultant @ 7:05 PM 
