Two isolated towns on Tasmania’s West Coast have been connected to the state’s fibre network, in an upgrade the federal government says will deliver more reliable, higher-capacity internet.
Zeehan and Tullah are now linked to Tasmania’s existing fibre network, giving households and businesses access to higher-capacity connections.
The two projects were funded through the federal Regional Connectivity Program, with co-contributions from Hydro Tasmania and 42-24, working with TasNetworks.
The upgrade follows long-running complaints about connectivity across the West Coast.
In 2024, the state government described data speeds in the region as well below what any Australian community should expect and set up a working group to push for improvements.
Around that time, residents had raised concerns about unreliable internet affecting everyday services, from students studying at home to connections at the West Coast District Hospital.
Some people in the region had reportedly bought personal locator beacons over concerns about staying safe.
Federal Communications Minister Anika Wells said reliable networks helped people stay connected.
“Reliable and resilient communications networks mean people can stay connected, access health, education and government services, work and stay safe in emergencies,” Wells said.
Federal Braddon MP Anne Urquhart said small communities understood the value of reliable communications.
“Small communities like Zeehan and Tullah know how important it is to have access to reliable communications, to access essential services, run their businesses and keep in touch with loved ones,” Urquhart said.
The federal government says it has committed more than $360 million to almost 300 communications projects nationally across three funding rounds.
