The National Broadband Network (NBN) has been officially turned on in the nation’s capital, with fibre now covering over 4,000 homes and businesses in the suburbs of Gungahlin and Harrison.

The NBN Co has also announced that construction has commenced or has been completed for a further 20,000 premises in the ACT, and is due for completion in 2015.

Seven internet service providers are ready to sign up families and business people to the NBN. They are: Telstra, iiNet, iPrimus, TransACT, Westnet, Internode and DevotedNBN.

"This is an exciting day for Canberrans," NBN Co CEO Mike Quigley said. "Fast, reliable and affordable broadband is the first step to improving the way people in the ACT live and work and make better use of online health, education, business and entertainment.

"For instance, it enables people to work from home as they would from the office; get the whole family online at once; access a high-definition doctor's consultation; and stream TV without stuttering and buffering.

The Government also launched the Gungahlin Digital Hub and Enterprise, which will provide expert advice to individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations about understanding the possibilities of the NBN, while helping businesses create the jobs of the future and compete nationally and globally.