South Australia will fund the roll out of a fibre optic network offering gigabit per second speeds — and potentially up to 10Gbps — for businesses in Adelaide.
The government announced today that its budget, to be handed down next week, will include $4.65 million for the initiative, which will be based on the SABRENet (the South Australian Broadband Research & Education Network).
Alongside the state government, owners of the non-profit SABRENet company include the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and Flinders University. The federal Defence Science and Technology Group (the former Defence Science and Technology Organisation) also participates in the network.
SABRENet has more than 160 sites and 200km of optical fibre. The network began operation in early 2007.
The SA government’s initiative is part of the ‘Gig City’ project, which began in Chattanooga in the US.
The government said the first sites for the network will be at Tonsley, Technology Park, Techport, Thebarton BioScience Precinct, St Paul’s Creative Centre, the Majoran Co-working Space, Hub Adelaide, and the Stretton Centre.
The rollout is due to begin before the end of the year.
“Having access to ultra-fast internet will drive significant economic development and job creation opportunities, and will embed South Australia as a leading centre for innovation and entrepreneurship,” the state's premier, Jay Weatherill, said in a statement.
“By building the infrastructure of the future, innovative and high-tech businesses will want to establish and relocate to Adelaide from around the world to take advantage of the ultra-fast internet speeds.”