First NBN backbone link on mainland Australia
Stephen Conroy
posted Wednesday, 17 February 2010
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today visited Mt Isa to launch the first fibre optic backbone link being laid for the National Broadband Network (NBN) on mainland Australia.
“Backbone infrastructure provides the communication links that connect our towns, cities and rural areas to each other and the world,” Senator Conroy said.
Nextgen Networks is carrying out the construction work as part of the NBN Regional Backbone Blackspot Program.
“This fibre optic backbone link will run from Darwin, through central and south east Queensland to Toowoomba, as part of the Government’s $250 million program,” Senator Conroy said.
“One of the biggest obstacles for fast broadband in Mt Isa has been the lack of competitive fibre optic backbone services.
“Once complete, this link will allow other broadband providers to enter the market and offer faster broadband speeds, cheaper prices and more choice for people and businesses across the region.”
In total, this program will see nearly 6,000km of new backbone links constructed across five separate routes.
Mt Isa is the midway point along the 3,835km route from Darwin to Toowoomba, and the longest of the five regional backbone links to be constructed under the program.
“This is a massive construction project for the long term benefit of the region.
“Construction of the Darwin, Mt Isa, Emerald and Longreach link will take around 18 months and once complete, will directly benefit more than 160,000 people in more than 40 regional locations across the Northern Territory and Queensland.
“In total, the five links will connect more than 100 regional locations and benefit approximately 395,000 people in regional Australia.”
The Darwin, Emerald and Longreach route will provide access points in regional centres including Mt Isa, Barcaldine, Berrimah, Blackwater, Casuarina, Chinchilla, Howard Springs, Katherine, Nightcliff, Noonamah, Oakey, Palmerston, Roma, Dalby, Arcadia, Apunyal, Barcaldine, Bogantungan, Gunnewin, Jericho, Morella, Pickajinnie, Toowoomba, Winton and Tennant Creek.
“Today is just the beginning. As the NBN rolls out, high‑speed broadband will also be expanded to all homes, schools and workplaces across Australia.
“The Government’s implementation study is working with NBN Co to finalise the rollout plan and schedule for the network."
The Government signed an agreement in December 2009 with Leighton Holdings‑owned Nextgen Networks to construct new regional backbone links.
Nextgen expects the investment to create more than 1,000 full time jobs and provide economic stimulus to regional locations during the construction and operation of the networks.
In addition, assistance will be provided to regional communities to take full advantage of the new infrastructure through $5 million in funding for Rural NBN Coordinators.
“The Rural NBN Coordinators will work closely with Nextgen, local communities, governments and retail service providers to ensure that they are able to make full use of the new infrastructure,” Senator Conroy said.
More information on the program, including maps for each route, is available from www.dbcde.gov.au/blackspots_program.
Tags: Broadband, Economy, Internet, NBN