Telecommunications company Clear Networks has launched a new broadband internet service for the WA mining town of Kalgoorlie, using its ClearTowns service.

The infrastructure will be deployed in Kalgoorlie before the end of November and customer installations will be conducted during the first two weeks of December, according to Clear Networks. Deployment of infrastructure for Coolgardie is planned to follow shortly.

Clear Networks CEO, Rob van der End, said his company’s ClearTowns concept delivered high grade broadband internet access to remote communities via fixed wireless technology.

“For remote areas, not only is the wait for broadband over, but compared to ADSL, the ClearTowns fixed wireless technology delivers on speed, security and reliability.”

Mr van der End said business would also benefit from increased efficiency and productivity and a reduction in operating costs.

Subsidised by the Australian Government’s Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS), Clear Networks says it will provide successful applicants a considerable reduction on the usual broadband installation costs. The ClearTowns service starts at $24.95 per month and includes a range of plans to suit anything from light residential to heavy business use.

ClearTowns local representative Mr Michael Ivas claimed the service means everyone can enjoy great broadband, email, high-speed file sharing, network gaming, secure backups and a community intranet.

“A ClearTown is connected to the Internet via either a "terrestrial" link or a highgrade 2-way satellite service. Individual homes and businesses in a ClearTown are connected via an internal or external fixed wireless subscriber unit.

“Clear Networks uses a non-line of sight technology that means customers can connect regardless of most obstacles within sight, over a 15km radius.” Mr Ivas said.

Planned future developments for the ClearTown technology include VoIP and IPTV.