Internode has turned on high-speed broadband services at the first house in a new subdivision of Grantham, the Queensland town being rebuilt on higher ground after it was ravaged by floods in January.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh launched the new estate at an official ceremony today. Internode has connected the first completed house on the development to the National Broadband Network, making it the first home in South East Queensland linked to the NBN.

Working with NBNCo and FetchTV, Internode is providing the family that moves into the new house with three months of free access to high-speed broadband, NodePhone telephony and the fetchtv IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) service. Fetchtv includes a high-definition, three-tuner set-top box and personal video recorder that can access dozens of free-to-air, digital and Internet-streamed TV channels.

Fetchtv, which also provides video-on-demand access to a wide range of popular movies and television shows, can be controlled with a dedicated remote control or with an iPhone, using a free, easy-to-use app from the iTunes store.

Internode product manager Jim Kellett said the free setup and three-month access to broadband, phone and fetchtv was a small housewarming gift for the new residents. “Broadband is central to how families lead their lives today, so giving this family immediate, no-cost access to broadband and a phone service is a meaningful way we can assist them to re-establish their lives in Grantham,” he said.  “Also, fetchtv is a great service, so we reckon it will help their new house feel like home from day one.”

NBN Co head of rollout engagement Archie Wilson added: “It’s only fitting that a national infrastructure project that will eventually benefit all Australians could be mobilised to help those most in need of reliable telecommunications. The switch-on of the National Broadband Network at Grantham will open up significant opportunities for residents to educate their children, operate their businesses and engage with the wider world.”

Internode PR for media assistance: Impress Media Australia www.impress.com.au

Call John Harris on (08) 8431 4000 or email jharris@impress.com.au.

About Internode www.internode.on.net

Internode is a national broadband company with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Already a leading supplier of National Broadband Network (NBN) services, Internode delivers ADSL2+ services nationally and has its own infrastructure at more than 200 exchanges in every state and territory of Australia. Internode offers a wide range of value-added broadband services including more than 400 Internode WiFi hotspots throughout the country, NodeMobile Data 3G wireless broadband, Internode Business Connect Private IP networks, NodePhone VoIP telephony and a pioneering IPTV service through its partnership with FetchTV. Follow Internode online at www.internode.on.net/followus