FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said the community around Wallangarra will benefit from a fixed wireless network going live late this week.

He said the Wallangarra network was one of 26 networks switched on and this meant more than 6,000 Australian farms, homes and businesses can switch to the National Broadband Network.

The announcement by NBN Co highlights how it is helping to close the digital divide in regional Australia, Mr Joyce said.

“And with it comes many economic and social opportunities for communities like Wallangarra,” he said.

“Fast broadband gives residents access to e-health services, distance education and entertainment on demand.

“Businesses now have the ability to increase productivity, reduce costs and access new markets,” Mr Joyce said.

He said the latest announcement of NBN Co’s fixed wireless rollout meant more than 114,000 premises nationally were covered by the service.

Residents are encouraged to visit www.nbnco.com.au/rollout/rollout-map to find if their home or business is included in the coverage footprint.

Mr Joyce said if their premise passed the signal quality test, it was just three easy steps before they could start enjoying the benefits of high speed broadband over the NBN.