MT BULLER will soon have access to faster and more reliable wholesale broadband speeds of around one gigabit per second, which are significantly faster than satellite services currently available.
The Victorian State Government has confirmed Mt Buller is on track to receive fast broadband as part of the $250m 'Connecting Victoria' program, delivered through its partnership with NBN Co.
Every property within the Mt Buller Village will be able to have fibre installed to the premises.
There will be no charge for these installations, with businesses, lodges, and apartment owners only needing to sign up with their chosen broadband retailer.
NBN Co, through its contractor Ventia, was due to commence initial survey works from April 2023.
The installation program is then slated to start after this 2023 snow season, with completion expected before the 2024 snow season.
Chief Operating Officer of the Mt Buller and Mt Stirling Resorts Mark Bennetts welcomed the positive news for the local alpine community.
"Businesses have really struggled with poor quality internet, affecting their ability to place orders, participate in business meetings and even to process EFT payments at busy times," Mr Bennetts said.
Visitors expect high speed internet when visiting Victoria's most popular ski resort but routinely struggle to get a 4G connection from mid–afternoon when everyone is online checking news and connecting with friends and family.
"Implementing high speed broadband will be an absolute game–changer for the resort.
"It will enable the three schools up here to deliver their educational programs during winter, the Medical Centre to digitally transfer x–rays, businesses to reliably place orders and process transactions, lodges to improve their security arrangements and the National Alpine Museum of Australia to share its vast online catalogue with the world.
"Importantly it will allow people to stay an extra day or two because they will be able to work and keep connected, and our guests will be able to enjoy the simple pleasures of sharing photos after a day on the slopes or watching a movie," Mr Bennetts said.
"We anticipate everyone will want to have fibre connected to their business, lodge or apartment, and we'll be reaching out to the community in the coming weeks to get things going.
"This technology has been firmly on the wish list for people up here for some time, so there will be real excitement at the prospect of improved speed and connection in time for the 2024 snow season".
Faster broadband will support businesses in regional tourism hotspots like Mount Buller, enabling them to provide even greater services so that visitors can have the best possible experience.
