9/5/05
Kulin, Kondinin and Williams townsites now have access to ADSL broadband and Dalwallinu is scheduled for an ADSL upgrade this month as a consequence of pooling (aggregating) local demand for broadband services.
Reflecting a commitment to improving access to modern communications in rural and remote communities, the Department of Industry and Resources' (DoIR) Broadband Demand Aggregation Broker Program has successfully facilitated a broadband solution for the four Wheatbelt towns.
"Increased access to broadband in these towns will bring significant benefits for industry and communities and provide opportunities to enhance the delivery of State Government services in these areas," State Development Minister Alan Carpenter said.
"The benefits include increased efficiency in business transactions and greatly enhanced access to information that is critical for business to compete in a global marketplace.
"The Gallop Government is committed to improving services to all Western Australians."
The owner of the Dalwallinu-based agricultural machinery dealership Jolly and Sons, Ken Jolly, welcomed the announcement.
"We have been struggling with a slow internet connection for years," Mr Jolly said.
"This has been a great inconvenience to our customers and impacted on the efficiency of our operations."
Nat Wallis, the manager of Wallis Computer Solutions, a company servicing Wheatbelt communities, said the ability to download large software files, such as virus updates, quickly over the internet would significantly improve his ability to service regional customers.
The Kulin, Kondinin and Williams town sites have had their local telephone exchange upgraded by Telstra to enable them to offer ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line) broadband services.
Western Australian broadband broker Jamie Robertson advised communities during recent public meetings that a range of internet service providers could offer ADSL broadband services to the towns.
"These towns will get access to broadband and it will be a competitive outcome that ensures customers can use their preferred internet provider to purchase ADSL services," Mr Robertson said.
The agreement to upgrade the telephone exchanges in the four towns was a result of successful negotiations between Telstra Countrywide and the Department of Industry and Resources under the Western Australian Broadband Demand Aggregation Program.
"The program continues to deliver results for regional Western Australians and I am pleased to advise that carriers are considering more deployments of broadband in regional areas as a result of this program," Mr Carpenter said.
DoIR employs a broadband broker to work directly with regional businesses, industry and community to pool demand for broadband and facilitate the deployment of broadband services.
The WA and Commonwealth Governments jointly fund the Western Australian Broadband Demand Aggregation Broker Program.
For information on the program contact Jamie Robertson, WA broadband broker, on 9222 5322.
Minister's office: 9222 9111
