Sunshine Coast-based Auscom has been awarded a million dollar contract to provide a key part of the International Broadband Submarine Cable Network.
The $1 million contract will deliver the land side fibre network, connecting the beach landing to the cable landing station at Maud Street, Maroochydore.
This stage of the project is expected to completed in October, with the network being operational mid next year, providing the fastest International connection point from East Australia to Asia.
The $35 million Sunshine Coast International Broadband Submarine Cable project is a jointly funded initiative between Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government through its Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.
The project includes the installation of a 550km undersea fibre optic cable which will connect the Sunshine Coast to the 9700km Japan, Guam, Australia (JGA) submarine cable.
Auscom Director Chris Douglas said the network will bring growth and opportunity to businesses not only on the Sunshine Coast, but further afield.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson added the project had the potential to attract some of the biggest data users to the region.
“It was less than a year ago that council signed contracts with a consortium led by RTI Connectivity to deliver the international broadband submarine cable to the Sunshine Coast,” Jamieson said.
“We will be stimulating investment and jobs growth on the Sunshine Coast thanks to the superior telecommunications connectivity and data infrastructure we will be able to offer.”
Divisional Councillor Jason O’Pray said the submarine cable will provide direct international communications from the Sunshine Coast, making it the only non-capital city location in Australia to have such an opportunity, potentially stimulating $927 million in new investment in Queensland.
“Over time, the cable will lead to a reduction in international communications costs for business,” O’Pray said.
