PROGRESS always seems to come at a cost somewhere down the line.
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That would appear to be the dilemma faced by Bethanga residents keen to get decent internet services while preserving what makes the area so attractive to live in.
The changes in the national broadband network being rolled out by the federal government mean Bethanga won’t get fibre optic cables connected to their homes.
Instead, residents are set to get wireless technology, which as resident Kaya Doll rightly says cannot provide the fastest internet services possible.
It is a fair question she asks regarding whether the $200,000 cost for the tower needed for wireless coverage could instead be use to extend fibre optic cabling to houses in the village.
NBN Co has its own reasons why it chosen the plan it has, such as meeting local planning requirements and the ability of the chosen tower site to provide acceptable coverage.
Clearly there is still potential for some middle ground, and NBN Co should be commended for making it clear it is happy to continue to listen to the community’s concerns.
This might still produce an outcome acceptable on all fronts.