"As well as maintaining the existing network, this year we will be expanding sites, improving coverage in sites such as shopping malls and other black spots."

The number of agencies joining the state broadband service is expected to rise this year, with 750 sites already part of the network and another 400 sites slated in 2006-07.

In 2005, the NSW government announced a five-year deal to Soul Pattinson Telecommunications to supply the core network for the A$300 million broadband project, and now Soul Converge Communications will partner with Austar to provide wireless broadband across 24 rural communities.

Della Bosca said the guarantee of agency business convinced Soul to build a new, high-speed backbone throughout NSW, which has so far helped the government accelerate online learning and advanced health services, as well as videoconferencing of court proceedings.

Opposition leader Peter Debnam was unavailable for comment. NSW CIO Paul Edgecombe was also unavailable for comment at the time of writing.