Participation in the FibreCo Queensland trial could help the Bundaberg Region establish faster, more reliable and more affordable internet connectivity through a 10 gigabit network.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said creating such a network, dubbed 10 GigaBerg, had been identified as one of Council’s top 10 advocacy priorities.
“Council will soon conduct a region-wide audit of our telecommunication network which will help us to understand what infrastructure we need to launch a 10 gigabit network,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“We are keen to lead this space because we know the investment potential that could be created with this type of connectivity.
“It would place Bundaberg on the map for business and global entrepreneurs who will no longer suffer the ‘tyranny of internet distance’.
“FibreCo no doubt will be critical in how 10 GigaBerg is established.”
He said the Bundaberg Region had been identified as having one of the poorest internet connection speeds at one of the least affordable rates.
“Importantly this project would not only improve the speed but make having a reliable, fast internet connection more affordable for all.”
FibreCo, 10 gigabit network to enable smart city plans
FibreCo is a Queensland Government initiative to deliver faster, more reliable internet to businesses and homes in regional Queensland.
Innovation Minister Kate Jones said the new state-owned entity, jointly operated by Powerlink Queensland and Energy Queensland, could leverage spare internet capacity from the state fibre network that passes Bundaberg.
“We live in the digital age. A strong, reliable internet connection is crucial when it comes to growing businesses, exporting overseas and creating jobs in Queensland,” Ms Jones said.
“That’s what FibreCo is all about.”
Mayor Dempsey said 10 GigaBerg was an enabler for Council’s Intelligent Communities Strategy and would catapult Bundaberg towards being recognised as a smart city.
“We are very much looking forward to the outcome of the audit which will help us to develop a plan to move forward in this space.
“There are options which would place our region closer by internet speed to the United States and Europe than Sydney or Brisbane.
“The audit will help us to determine how best to achieve that.”
Initiative could drive traffic back to CBD
Open Cloud Broadband CEO Luke Baker said a 10 GigaBerg network could make the region’s key economic precincts the most connected areas in the entire country.
“What we’re trying to do is build Australia’s first regional 10 gigabit network right here in Bundaberg,” Mr Baker said.
With such an advanced internet connection he said it could reinvigorate the Bundaberg CBD.
“We use CBDs differently now.
“We need new drivers to generate foot traffic in the CBD.
“If we’ve got the best connectivity in the country in Bundaberg’s CBD, not only will we invite local business back in to the CBD we will also be able to attract businesses from right around the globe.”
He said he had been working closely with the State Government on its FibreCo initiative which would facilitate 10 gigabit.
“Without FibreCo it would have been really difficult to do.
“It’s really great to see that come to fruition. It really does bode well for the 10 Gig-a-Berg project.”
As one of the internet providers that would be able to on sell FibreCo to local customers he said he had been able to provide insight to the project while also pushing for Bundaberg to be included as a trial site.
“I’m coming from a regional area trying to run that sort of business that would actually use FibreCo.”
Mr Baker said FibreCo was for “companies like myself who can then go and offer alternative services without having to use NBN or provides us with more capability to provide better NBN models at more affordable prices”.
The FibreCo initiative is very exciting and I’m sure our Mayor will be doing everything possible to have Bundaberg included in the trial for faster internet. Thank you, to you Jack, and your team
What good is it going to be when the majority of Bundaberg is connected with FTTN? Is the Council or NBN Co going to be changing Bundaberg from FTTN to FTTC or FTTP as part of this FibreCo rollout?
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