Making Broadband Happen in Croydon
Making Broadband Happen in Croydon |
| Media release - 14 August 2006 |
| Businesses and residents in Croydon are set to benefit from upgraded, high-speed competitive broadband services, the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, said today. "Optus is upgrading services in Croydon, a result of its $60 million investment in broadband infrastructure across Victoria," Ms Thomson said. "The Bracks Government has paved the way for increased competition in the telecommunications market as a result of its contract with Optus for fixed voice services," Minister Thomson said. "The people of Croydon are the winners by being able to benefit from the new Optus high-speed broadband infrastructure. The Member for Kilsyth, Dympna Beard said Optus' latest infrastructure investment comes on the back of the Bracks Government's TPAMS initiative which has seen Optus roll out $20 million worth of high-speed broadband infrastructure across regional Victoria. "Ensuring tangible benefits for the community was a key factor in the Bracks Government's telecommunications purchasing plan," she said. "As the largest telecommunications customer in the state, the Government is in a unique position to use its buying power to assist Victorians across the board to access broadband technology." Ms Thomson said the Bracks Government was committed to ensuring local communities had access to broadband and its benefits. "Although telecommunications is a federal responsibility, the Bracks Government believes Victorians shouldn't have to have to wait to reap the benefits of broadband, so we are doing what we can to make broadband happen," Ms Thomson said. The broadband infrastructure - known as DSLAMs (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers) - will provide access to high-grade voice and data services, establishing competitive alternatives to high speed broadband. "Optus' DSLAM rollout helps bring to life the Bracks Government's strategic plan for broadband in Victoria - set to facilitate around $200 million worth of infrastructure investment by telecommunications companies over the next three years. The Bracks Government's broadband goals are outlined in the Broadband Framework , a strategic plan released by Minister Thomson last year. "This strategic approach to government telecommunications purchasing is delivering tangible benefits for Victorians resulting in better public services through state-of-the-art technology, as well as spin-off benefits to the wider community," she said. |
