MORE than 40,000 homes and businesses in the Far North, including Port Douglas and Craiglie, are a step closer to getting the National Broadband Network.

Construction is expected to be completed or underway in a number of suburbs by June 2016.

“It was good to attend a briefing in Canberra today and get the latest information as to when and where NBN Co will be laying fibre along our streets, helping Far Northerners get superfast broadband,” said Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch.

“Over the last few months people may have seen NBN Co contractors carrying out ‘build preparation’ work in the suburbs of Manunda, Cairns North, Manoora, Whitfield, Edge Hill and Aeroglen, clearing out Telstra’s pits and ducts.

“With NBN Co releasing its national rollout plan today, I’m pleased to see that by June 2016, the fixed line build will have commenced in a number of other suburbs and areas of Leichhardt.” 

NBN Co has advised that the build will also start on the fixed wireless network in parts of Smithfield, enabling approximately 300 premises to be connected.

Mr Entsch said it was an important milestone for the area, with greater certainty for homes as businesses as they prepare for superfast broadband services.

Since the election, the NBN has more than doubled the reach of its network.

Nationwide, 1.2 million homes and businesses can now connect to the NBN or have work underway in their area.