The Magnetic Island will be upgraded to receive ADSL broadband internet in approximately one month as a result of Telstra's ADSL Demand Register, and help from the Australian Government's Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS).

More than 75 individuals and businesses from Magnetic Island indicated their demand for broadband and work will start immediately on the ADSL upgrade project which should take approximately one month to complete.

The Australian Government scheme offers incentives to registered companies capable of providing the service and, when demand passed 70 registered Islanders requesting the service, the HiBIS funding level was reached after being lowered from 150.

Telstra Country Wide Area General Manager Mr Owen Taylor congratulated Islanders telling Magnetic Times, "These people have banded together to get broadband based on interest expressed through the national ADSL Demand Register.

"The ADSL Broadband registration scheme was launched in October 2003 to encourage broadband take-up and to help direct the future rollout to places where the service was most wanted."

The ADSL upgrade makes it possible for other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) servicing the Townsville area to compete in providing the best and most affordable services for users.

In addition to high-speed internet access, Broadband ADSL services can deliver other benefits including: no need to dial up to access the internet and eliminates the need for a second line dedicated to the internet. Users may be able to make or receive telephone and fax calls whilst surfing the internet.