Quambone residents have been promised free wi-fi connections on par with Sydney as part of a trial to bridge the digital divide.

Locals in the township will have access to three options scheduled to be ready in mid-2026 and to run for at least five years.

They include in-home and public wi-fi for residents and businesses, and roaming connection through partner networks.

Background research by the state government had revealed Quambone as one of the lowest digitally connected towns in NSW.

Melbourne-based Easyweb Digital has recently been awarded a $6 million contract from the NSW Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development to deliver the trials in Quambone and Thungutti in the mid-north coast.

"The project's purpose is to really provide a comprehensive solution to the digital connectivity problems," said Easyweb Digital's Ben Mooney, whose company is providing the service.

Mr Mooney presented to Coonamble Shire Council’s community forum on Wednesday 10 September with colleague Darryl Clarke.

The news was well received by councillors and has since been welcomed by Quambone residents and business owners.

Easyweb representatives present to Coonamble Shire Council meeting. [IMAGE: Coonamble Times]

"We're aiming to get 70 per cent of the public outdoor spaces covered by that public Wi Fi, and that will be available, obviously, for residents, but also anyone who comes into the community.

"The first thing we're going to do is a site survey. At the beginning of that site survey, we'd like to have a community meeting in town and start to connect to the individuals in that community, connect to any community groups, and talk to them about their needs."

Households will receive a router and handset configured to the local network, and training to use them, which will allow free calls to Australian numbers.

The project will involve two solar-powered connection hubs linking to Starlink and Sky Muster satellites.

Easyweb will also install about ten network boxes called mesh nodes, mostly on roadsides, which will need to be able to see each other.

Mr Moodey said they want to avoid disturbing trees to achieve line of sight unless "absolutely necessary."

They could reach up to around five metres high.

Residents and business owners said affordability is a major barrier to internet access in the township and are excited for the project to hit the ground.

One of them is Cheryl Delaney, who relied on "slow" mobile signal to meet her needs, including banking.

"Free wi-fi would make life easier," she said.

"I could have it there all the time without having to run around and hook phones up.

"It'll benefit everybody."

The company plans to target an area including the Sundowner Hotel, the War Memorial Hall, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the public school, with potential to expand.

It is possible for properties within a kilometre of the current target area to receive signal, although the men said it isn't guaranteed.

Mr Moodey also floated having local primary school students create designs for the outside of the network boxes to foster a sense of community ownership.

The company will be responsible for maintaining and monitoring the system, and provide help desk support.

Mr Moodey said they aim to make the project successful enough for the NSW government to extend their contract after the trial ends.

However, he said they will prepare a manual for the next provider if the government decides to continue the project without them.