First Tas, NSW, now QLD is to get the NBN treatment.

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Several northern Qld areas near Cairns will be among the first areas to get the National Broadband Network’s  fixed wireless service, which gives speeds of “up to” 100Mbps (eight times faster than ADSL).

The fibre rollout in Cairns’ metro area is scheduled to start shortly and up to 5,000 homes and businesses will be switched on to NBN in stages starting mid 2013, Minister for Broadband, confirmed.

These areas include Aurukun Shire Council, Cairns Regional Council, Cook Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council.

However, high speed broadband is not a done deal just yet , it seems, with all the NBN Co yet to lodge planning applications for towers in all five of the aforementioned local councils.

Last week, it emerged a numbner of councils in Victoria rejected NBN Co tower applications due to visibility impact  issues.

Read: NBN Red-Faced After Vic Rejection

For those living outside the fibre and fixed wireless footprints, fast broadband will be available via satellite.

“For too long, people living in regional and rural Australia have had to put up with slow, unreliable internet connections – if they could get a connection at all, Minister Conroy said.

“Through the NBN, the government is also delivering uniform national wholesale pricing. This means people living in and around Cairns will pay the same prices for NBN services as people in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.”

Queensland Senator Jan McLucas said it was “fantastic” that a number of Far North communities, including some on Cape York, will soon have access to fast broadband service.

“This is fantastic news for the Far North.The NBN will change the way we live and work here in Far North Queensland and I am very excited by the progress we’ll see on the ground in the next 12 months.”

The Gillard Government say it is prioritising regional and rural Australia for the rollout of the NBN.