Located in close proximity to the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, Port Augusta City Council is at the forefront of telecommunications, ahead of many metropolitan city areas. Council recently replaced its existing ISDN based data network with a virtual, private network based on ADSL2+ broadband and carrier grade optical fibre. ADSL2+ doubles the maximum data rate, increasing the downstream data rate to as much as 25 Mbps.
The network connects 16 Council operated locations around the city to the Civic Centre for the provision of data and telephony services.
Council contracted two companies to build the network. ETSA Telecoms built an optical fibre loop, while leading Adelaide based internet service provider (ISP), Internode, will provide ADSL2+ broadband services.
As part of the project, Internode will install new infrastructure to meet Council’s requirements. This will also make ADSL2+ broadband services available to the entire community.
Port Augusta’s City Manager, John Stephens, said Council is very excited with this project as it provides a high speed service and more effective data network delivered within existing budgets.
“The project has also made it possible for Port Augusta and Stirling North to get advanced broadband,” he said. “Broadband is essential for businesses to operate effectively and is important for lifestyle in regional areas, with access to online shopping, entertainment and cheaper phone calls.
“We are proud to have helped in providing metropolitan equivalent, and better, broadband services for our community.”
Project Consultant, Adrian de Brenni, said that the commercial and technical solutions employed in this project were possible because all parties involved had the same objective – to provide better broadband services to as many customers as possible.
“Port Augusta is uniquely positioned as a gateway to the north,” he said. “This project has recognised the importance of providing the foundation for extending telecommunications services to other areas. Coverage beyond the ADSL2+ area and sharing links back to Adelaide for other communities is already being considered.”
For further information contact Michael Dunemann, Port Augusta’s Director Corporate Services, on (08) 8641 9100.
