NBN Co’s demonstration truck has begun its nationwide journey in Tasmania this week, with the 23-tonne mobile ‘discovery centre’ having arrived in Devonport yesterday.
The truck, which is fitted with high-definition screens, cameras and audio equipment, will enable residents to get a ‘hands on’ experience learning about the National Broadband Network (NBN) — how it works and how it can benefit them.
The mayor of Devonport, Steve Martin, welcomed its arrival.
“There is a real appetite for more information about the NBN in the local community,” he said in a statement.
“For me, I expect the NBN will help to close the gap between the services we can access here in Devonport and those that people in major metropolitan centres experience.”
General manager of demonstration facilities, Cassandra Hayes, said the tour was in response to the demand from people wanting to learn more about the NBN.
“We receive thousands of emails and calls each week from individuals, businesses and local councils asking when the NBN is coming to their area, and wanting to know how it works, what they can use it for and how to get connected,” she said in a statement.
“The demo truck makes it possible for people to experience for themselves some of the applications in education, health and business that can be delivered over the NBN.”
Residents in towns from Devonport to Deloraine and Georgetown to Triabunna will be the first in Australia to receive the interactive learning opportunity.
The truck will undertake a three-month, 27-site tour of Tasmania, finishing in Smithton in February 2012, and is expected to visit more than 100 towns across Australia in the next 12 months.
The demo truck was unveiled last week as part of NBN Co’s new operations and demonstrations facilities, launched by communications minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, in Melbourne’s Docklands.
The broadband wholesaler is also expected to publish its Standard Form of Access Agreement tomorrow.
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