Bryan Green, MP
Minister for Economic Development and Resources
Tuesday, 27 June 2006
Delays In Tascolt Project Overcome
Minister for Economic Development and Resources Bryan Green says delays to the Tascolt ultra broadband project have been overcome and the project is back on track.
“Tascolt is an exciting $10 million ultra fast broadband project with delivery speed up to 1000 times faster than conventional broadband,” Mr Green said.
“The trial has been developed through the work of Australian company CEOS and involves global leaders in communications such as Hitachi, Corning, Intel, Cisco and Acer.
“This consortium also involves a number of Tasmanian partners including the Tasmanian Economic Commerce Centre, Protocol IT, Aurora and its subsidiary TasTel.
“The Government has contributed $3 million to assist with the establishment of the testbed and a two-year commercial trial to test the commercial viability of extending such a network throughout Tasmania.
“The two-year trial will take place in areas of New Town, South Hobart and Devonport.
“The project has been slightly delayed due to the lack of familiarity that exists in the Australian industry with Corning Cable System’s third generation optical fibre cable product.
“Tascolt represents the first time this next generation technology has been deployed outside the United States.
“An education process has been necessary to enable prospective construction contractors to be in a position to respond to the Aurora tender to build the network.
“Also planning approvals, which included the environmental impact study to support the project, also took a bit longer than expected.
“However, I’m pleased to say these issues have now been overcome and that it’s now full steam ahead.
“The construction contracts will be signed within a matter of weeks and the roll out will commence as soon as possible after that.
“To ensure there are no further delays and to get the test bed up and running as soon as possible the State Government has also allocated an additional $350,000 to the project.
“The trial will be open to 850 houses in New Town, and 200 each for South Hobart and Devonport.
“The Devonport footprint will include the Council Chambers and Reece High School,” Mr Green said.
The trial will provide:
· ultra high-speed data and internet access;
· the capacity for multiple voice lines and services;
· high-definition television;
· video and media on demand;
· interactive TV/home entertainment;
· advanced person-to-person communications such as video conferencing; and
· next generation eLearning and eHealth (telemedicine) applications that demand extreme bandwidth.
“Tascolt will enable us to get important information about the installation, deployment and operation of ultra-broadband services to households, businesses and institutions in Tasmania,” Mr Green said.
“Interestingly 22 per cent or 288 of the 1232 businesses who completed the REDI Survey listed technological change as a key influence on business expenditure.
“Without doubt Tascolt will provide numerous benefits for business,” he said.
| Further information: | Tasmanian Government Communications Unit Phone: (03) 6233 6573 |