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‘Gig City’ Network: Internet In Our CBD Is Set For A Supercharge

The Gig City Network sounds like a music initiative, but it’s actually massive investment in Fibre Optic Cablesto give the CBD a massive net speed supercharge. So we can all stream Netflix together.

One of the most interesting aspects of living in South Australia right now is how we seems to be taking the initiative. As late night laws shut down Sydney, we are encouraging a changes in late night trading. As the Federal Government backs away from renewables, the state is leading the way. We are investing in infrastructure, public transport, our export industry, the Riverbank… and now the CBD is set for an expansion to the already 200km of fibre optic cable extending through metropolitan Adelaide.

You see, in 2005 a not-for-profit was set up in partnership between the State Government and our three Universities called the South Australian Broadband Research and Education Network, or SABRENet in one of the catchiest acronyms we’ve seen. A $4.65 million plan to expand the SABRENet optical fibre network has been approved to expand the existing fibre optic cables to create the Gig City network. At the same time Council is also exploring opportunities for a city-wide, 10 Gigabit per second capable fibre optic network.

This follows unanimous support for a Motion from the Lord Mayor in May 2016, which will see a report come back to Council in September 2016. The Adelaide City Council’s Strategic Plan 2016-2020 is expected to be endorsed at a Council Meeting on 28 June 2016.

Lord Mayor Martin Haese congratulated the Premier on the initiative, as it aligns with Council’s Strategic Plan 2016-20 outcome to be a world class smart city with a globally connected and opportunity rich economy where we can watch Netflix without buffering everywhere.

“The City of Adelaide generates around a fifth of South Australia’s economic activity and is growing rapidly. We need to be capitalising on this growth and developing more ways to make it even easier to do business and encourage economic activity in our City,” said Mr Haese. “Spaces such as St Paul’s Creative Centre, the Majoran co-working space and Hub Adelaide will see real benefits from very fast internet speeds. Beyond that, Adelaide will become the first capital city in Australia to enable ultra-fast internet speeds, which will in turn attract investment from high tech global companies, generate jobs in emerging industries and create future opportunities,” he said.

It’s not quite announcing the Six Million Dollar Man, but we have the technology. So the sentiment is just as exciting.

For more details on the ACC’s Strategic Plan 2016-2020 visit the ACC Website. For more information on SABRENet visit their website.

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