With the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) continuing in Tasmania, twenty new NBN government services were launched across the Australian state on Monday, February 18.

The newly-launched NBN services - which brought along high-definition video conferencing that would connect six locations across Tasmania - included eight Tasmanian NBN Digital Hubs; seven Digital Enterprises; and five Digital Local Government Programs.

As a result of the continuing NBN rollout in Tasmania, over 14,500 homes and businesses now boast connectivity to the NBN fibre network; with work still underway to a further 70,000 premises. The completion of the rollout in 2015 will make Tasmania the first state in Australia to be fully connected to the NBN.

According to the details shared by Digital Tasmania's Andrew Connor, who talked about digital affairs with Damien Brown in the Drive studio, the construction of the first stage of the NBN in Whyalla is scheduled to commence in December this year; and the construction of the final stage will likely start in September 2014.

Noting that the NBN upgrade will spell notable benefits for people living in regional and remote Australia, Stephen Conroy - Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy - said: "It will lead to improved education and health services for regional and remote Australia, as well as greater opportunities for small businesses and agriculture."