The National Broadband Network Co (NBN) on Wednesday announced it would begin negotiations with Eurobodalla Shire Council and other South Coast councils about the placement of fixed wireless infrastructure.

Fixed wireless services would rely on antennas installed on homes and businesses, rather than fixed lines to premises.

“Fixed wireless services are delivered by radio communications via antennas that transmit a signal directly to a small outdoor antenna on your home or business,” NBN spokesman Michael Tyler said.

Under the scheme, the antenna and its installation are now free of charge, but consumers would continue to pay an internet service provider.

Premises unsuitable for the wireless network may be eligible for a satellite service.

Mr Tyler said planning proposals would be lodged with the Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven and Bega councils. The service is expected to be switched on in stages from mid-2015.

“NBN Co and its design and construction partners will work with local governments to identify appropriate locations for fixed wireless network infrastructure in and around the South Coast area,” he said.

“More farms, residents and businesses can look forward to faster internet.

“For decades, rural and regional Australia has been left behind when it comes to telecommunications. The fixed wireless service is designed to provide access to internet speeds and bandwidth that many in the big cities currently take for granted.”

The wholesale fixed wireless service would offer retail service providers download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to five megabits per second.

Eurobodalla technology trainer and business director Tricia Pye welcomed the news.

“We definitely need speed and that is what the NBN is about,” she said.

“It will affect everyone. Uploading video blogs or videos of training sessions can take hours, but the NBN is promising fast speeds, that would allow that to happen in the blink of an eye.

“I can’t wait.”

Ms Pye said the Eurobodalla economy was held back by slow internet service.

“We sit and wait and get frustrated for data and pages to load,” she said.

“We are years behind, but the NBN will enable us to have a 

global market.

“It will enable more rural businesses.”

Ms Pye said the NBN would improve online training and meetings and allow video phone calls.

“I am a member of a 30-strong corporate training organisation. We have a lot of our meetings online and the NBN will give us more speed to be able to demonstrate, rather than just speak.”

Ms Pye said businesses understood the potential.

“They can see where their 

businesses can grow,” she said.

“As part of the Chamber of Commerce, we are working on giving information to businesses to show the benefits are there for them to create that global market.

“All our business can be done from a mobile phone with this speed.”