MORE than 107,000 homes and businesses in Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast will be among the first in the state to receive fibre-to-the-node technology over the National Broadband Network (NBN).
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NBN Co this week announced the suburbs to be included in the next phase of the national trial to test the technology.
From June next year, an extra 51,000 households and businesses across Lake Macquarie City will have the option of connecting to the NBN.
"This network is a vital piece of infrastructure for our city, providing many enhancements in the online realm and increasing the potential of the city as a place to live and work," Lake Macquarie Mayor Jodie Harrison said.
Physical construction of the rollout of the NBN began in Belmont with preparatory work under way in other suburbs.
Among the Lake Macquarie suburbs covered by the rollout are: Awaba, Balcolyn, Blacksmiths, Bonnells Bay, Boolaroo, Booragul, Brightwaters, Cooranbong, Dora Creek, Eleebana, Eraring, Fennell Bay, Mandalong, Marmong Point, Martinsville, Mirrabooka, Morisset, Morisset Park, Silverwater, Speers Point, Sunshine and Wyee.
In Wyong Shire, work has started to bring the NBN to Budgewoi, Canton Beach, Charmhaven, Gorokan, Halloran, Hamlyn Terrace, Kanwal, Lake Haven, Magenta, Norah Head, Noraville, Toukley, Tuggerawong, Wadalba, Wallarah, Warnervale, Woongarrah and Wyongah.
Across the Central Coast, 56,800 premises will be covered in the next 12 months.
Wyong Mayor Doug Eaton described the NBN as "an incredible coup" for the shire.
"In the long term, it will transform life on the Central Coast," he said.
But not everyone is impressed.
Federal Member for Charlton Pat Conroy said that when it comes to communications technology, it is critical that it be as future-proofed as possible.
"So whilst I am pleased that some suburbs of Charlton are to receive better broadband services than they currently have, I remain concerned about the government's fibre-to-the-node program because it is inferior to the previous government's plan to extend fibre to each premise," he said.
■ See maps showing the areas to be covered at nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map