Telstra CountryWide area general manager for north west NSW, Ian Peters, made the announcement this week and said itwould be officially launched this month.

ADSL, (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a high speed internet connection that uses existing telephone lines but still allows calls to be made and received on the same line.

The internet connection can be up to 25 times faster than dial-up connection.

Lightning Ridge is one of the first communities in NSW to gain access to ADSL as a result of the Telstra Broadband Demand Register.

Significant community support demonstrated through the register has enabled the high-speed internet service to be brought to town.

The coverage will be approximately four kilometres from the exchange, which is the tower near the Bowling Club, so the majority of the population who have an existing phone line should be covered.

To sign up to the service visit the Community Technology Centre to purchase an ADSL Self Install Kit, which will be available soon.

Staff at the CTC will provide you with more information on how you can get connected.