In Mt. Isa digging for National broadband network has begun from Wednesday. The digging is for the first stretch of fibre optics. Senator Stephen Conroy the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, was present at the site when the digging began in North West Queensland. This step will ensure a faster and a high quality broadband all across the state.

This link will also allow other broadband providers to enter the market and offer faster broadband speeds, lower prices and wide variety of choice for people and businesses across the region.

The expected time for its completion would be around 18 months but is slated to benefit 1.5 million people across 40 states after its successful completion next year. In these 18 months the following regions are to be covered Darwin, Mt Isa, Emerald and Longreach links.

Networking integrator, Nextgen, with sister-company, Visionstream, is providing with their construction services. The laying of optical fibre is done under the Regional Backbone Blackspots program. The program is $250 million. 6000km of optic fibre is expected to be laid, which will be connecting 395,000 people across more than 100 locations.

This deal will also help in creating a number of jobs while $5 million are slated to go to Rural NBN coordinators.