Adelaide to get $3m WiMax network

A joint state and federal government project with ISP Adam Internet will see metropolitan Adelaide get a WiMax wireless broadband network to cover the city’s blackspot areas that cannot get ADSL2+.

The $3 million network will be deployed over 15 months with the first WiMax service area coming online in October this year.

Funding will come from South Australia’s Broadband Development Fund and contributions from the federal Australian Broadband Guarantee.

SA minister for science and information economy, Michael O’Brien, said about 10 per cent of residential, commercial and industrial properties across Adelaide are unable to use ADSL and “Broadband Blackspot Project” work will begin on addressing more than 350 blackspot locations across Adelaide.

"This contract will initially create an extra 110 jobs during the network construction and customer connection phase with 75 permanent jobs required in the longer term for ongoing operation and maintenance," O’Brien said.

Federal communications minister Senator Stephen Conroy said this investment will deliver high-speed broadband across Adelaide suburbs in advance of the National Broadband Network.

"The government is making strong progress to deliver the National Broadband Network, but also wants to ensure better services as this historic project is rolled out," Conroy said.

Adam Internet chairman, Greg Hicks said the project is the first metropolitan roll-out of WiMAX, named “AdamMax”, to enable people to receive ADSL2+ equivalent services.

"AdamMax will effectively blanket metropolitan Adelaide, lighting up blackspot areas and providing a service that is fast, reliable and value for money,” Hicks said.