High-speed gigabit internet will be available in South Australia’s two largest regional cities, Whyalla and Mount Gambier, by the end of the year.
Eligible businesses in Whyalla and Mount Gambier will be connected to the GigCity network by Adelaide company MIMP Connecting Solutions, through a $1 million State Government-funded project.
South Australia’s Minister for Innovation and Skills, David Pisoni, said that “building the GigCity network to additional precincts was a key action item within the state’s strategic action plan for Future Industries exchange for Entrepreneurship (FIXE) trategy.”
It is expected more than 220 businesses in Mount Gambier and around 70 in Whyalla will take up the service, at prices comparable to those available in metropolitan Adelaide GigCity precincts – ranging from $49.90 to $179.90 per month (ex GST), depending on the size of the business and the chosen plan.
“MIMP Connecting Solutions has begun preliminary works to build a new wireless broadband network and eligible businesses in both cities will be invited to register their interest to connect soon,” Minister Pisoni said.
City of Mount Gambier Mayor, Lynette Martin, said, “GigCity will provide existing and new businesses with opportunities for innovation and development through high-speed connectivity that will further enhance the attractiveness of Mount Gambier as a place to invest and do business.”
Whyalla City Council Chief Executive Officer, Chris Cowley, said, “GigCity is an essential element for the transformation of Whyalla, which will allow businesses to gain a technological competitive advantage and drive innovation.”
MIMP’s General Manager, Stephen Fitzgerald, said, “MIMP Connecting Solutions has been a supporter of regional SA for many years and is very excited to be able to work with the South Australian Government and the two City Councils to extend GigCity to Whyalla and Mt Gambier via this initiative.”
Eligible businesses will need to be located within geographic reach of the wireless transmitters to receive a reliable, high-speed connection.
With broadband speeds of 1 gigabit per second, startups and growth-focused businesses of all sizes can work with partners at home and around the world to develop and share opportunities and access new markets.
GigCity locations in Adelaide’s innovation precincts and co-working spaces have provided businesses with the capability for large scale image processing and simulation, augmented reality, data analytics, cloud computing and film and media production.
“We have a vision to make South Australia the nation’s startup capital, with the highest rate of business startups per capita within a decade,” Minister Pisoni said.
“The FIXE strategic action plan outlines a list of objectives, strategic directions and specific actions, ranging from immediate projects to longer-term initiatives, that will get us there.
“We have committed to explore options to build upon the GigCity network to connect additional regional innovation precincts with gigabit-speed internet.”
