The Federal Government has welcomed the switching on of superfast internet and voice capacity for parts of the Crookwell and Upper Lachlan districts.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said it was fantastic news that the 4G signal was extending the internet to more areas and bringing faster speeds.

“If you’re in the Upper Lachlan area and you have one of the latest smartphones or a modem that can connect to the 4GX (Telstra) or 4G Plus (Optus) signal, then you will be getting really fast internet speeds.

“Some of the newer smartphones are 4GX and 4G Plus ready, so I encourage Upper Lachlan residents to speak to their preferred provider and see what’s possible.

“Things are moving quickly in telecommunications, it is a rapidly changing space and because the Federal Government is rolling out NBN services more quickly than was ever promised under Labor, competition for more customer share is increasing. 

“I know Telstra and Optus are progressively activating 4G across many more regional communities and this is great news for all of us who live and work here.”

Mr Taylor said new Telstra maps at https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/telstra-4gx  showed the parts of the Crookwell and Upper Lachlan areas that were able to access 4GX. (The maps are an approximation only of available coverage.) Optus also has an active 4G Plus service from a tower at Oolong near Gunning.

In addition to 4G services, optic fibre will be rolled out in the Crookwell township in the first half of next year, allowing 1100 premises to connect to NBN fast broadband.

“Satellite broadband packages are already starting to be marketed by providers, so Upper Lachlan residents should keep an eye out for those as well.

“Fast broadband is on its way to all of Hume and the Turnbull Government is delivering it faster and cheaper,” Mr Taylor said.

Caption: Telstra’s 4GX maps show (approximate) coverage extending across Crookwell and the Upper Lachlan. Other carriers are also providing faster internet to a greater geographic area in Hume.