How fast internet is shaping YP’s future

Advertising Promotion

YORKE Peninsula is part of a major national shift in digital connectivity, with towns including Maitland, Port Vincent, Hardwicke Bay and Port Victoria now benefiting from upgraded broadband infrastructure.

More than 2300 mobile towers have been upgraded across Australia, with over 800,000 South Australian homes and businesses expected to have access to full-fibre services by the end of 2026. 

Many regional residents are already noticing faster internet as the fibre network continues to expand.

Travis Bates, nbn Local South Australia Regional Development and Engagement Manager, said high-speed internet is transforming daily life, particularly in regional communities.

“Fast internet keeps families close, supports students, and allows local clubs to stream games to members who can’t attend in person,” Mr Bates said.

“Connectivity fosters inclusion, and inclusion strengthens communities.”

Across SA, the average nbn user consumed around 489GB of data per month as of June 2025 -- up 12 per cent from the previous year.

The number of connected devices per home is also rising, with projections showing over 44 per household by 2030.

Mr Bates said improved connectivity is helping small and medium businesses on the Yorke Peninsula to thrive.

“Fast upload speeds allow regional businesses to innovate and compete with city counterparts,” he said.

“For some, it’s the difference between surviving and thriving,” he said.

Many local businesses now rely on digital marketing, cloud tools and remote management. 

Mr Bates said this flexibility keeps money circulating locally -- supporting cafes, tradies and agricultural suppliers.

The region contributes approximately $2.9 billion in output and supports more than 8600 jobs, with agriculture, forestry and fishing making up almost $639 million of this.

While Port Vincent, Port Victoria and Stansbury are known for their coastal lifestyle and tourism appeal, many are also retirement communities now gaining from year-round digital access via fixed broadband upgrades.

Mr Bates said high-speed internet is also a drawcard for skilled workers and new businesses.

“With affordable commercial property, coastal living and proximity to Adelaide, Yorke Peninsula is well placed to attract remote workers and innovative enterprises,” he said.

Residents are encouraged to check their current internet plans to ensure they meet evolving digital needs. 

To see if you’re eligible for a faster connection, visit www.nbn.com.au/faster.

Mobile network upgrades in Moonta and Port Victoria

Mobile connectivity in Moonta and Port Victoria is set to improve, Telstra regional general manager for South Australia and Tasmania Michael Patterson says.

Both towns’ base stations are expected to experience some periods of downtime to allow the scheduled upgrades and maintenance to proceed, temporarily affecting Telstra’s mobile services in both areas.

Landline, nbn and satellite services, along with mobile coverage from other providers, will not be impacted. 

Emergency calls to Triple Zero from Telstra mobiles will automatically attempt to connect via another available mobile network if required.

In Moonta, Telstra is upgrading the mobile site to increase 4G capacity and prepare for future 5G enhancements -- delivering faster downloads, smoother streaming and reduced congestion, Mr Patterson said.

He acknowledged the inconvenience of temporary service disruptions, but said sites would only be switched off when necessary and services restored as quickly as possible.

The Moonta site will be offline during the following periods:

* December 7 – during daylight hours
* December 8 and 9 — full site outage
* December 10 to 12 — during daylight hours

In Port Victoria, routine maintenance will result in shorter outages:

* December 9 — one-hour outage
* December 10 — one-hour outage (if required)

Telstra mobile customers in both areas will receive SMS notifications ahead of the scheduled works.

Customers can maintain voice and text services during mobile disruptions by enabling Wi-Fi Calling on compatible devices, Mr Patterson said.

“This free setting allows calls and messages over a Wi-Fi connection.

“Business owners should connect EFTPOS terminals to Wi-Fi or nbn services during this period to minimise any disruption to transactions.

“The demand for mobile data continues to rise in regional areas,” he said. 

“As data use over our mobile network grows, adding extra 4G capacity helps deliver a better experience for customers.”

For further assistance or information, Telstra customers are encouraged to visit telstra.com.au.