Making Broadband Happen in Victorias South West
Making Broadband Happen in Victoria's South West |
| Media release - 18 July 2006 |
| World class, high-speed business-grade broadband services are now available in a growing number of towns in Victoria's South West thanks to the Bracks Government's telecommunications strategy, the Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, said today. Businesses can for the first time tap into the benefits of high-speed broadband services, such as greater efficiency, productivity and economic returns. "This is a flow-on benefit from the Bracks Government commitment that every Government school, hospital and police station in Victoria has access to broadband technology," Ms Thomson said "In order to service Government's needs, telecommunications companies are investing more than $200 million in broadband infrastructure across the State, which is making broadband happen for Victorians. "Telstra has installed new infrastructure to fulfil its Government contract and the people of South West Victoria also stand to win - not only through better delivery of public services, but with businesses being able to tap into that infrastructure and purchase high-speed broadband for their own use. "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. "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. "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. "Telstra's new broadband rollout is part of the Bracks Government's strategic plan for broadband in Victoria which has facilitated around $200 million worth of infrastructure investment by telecommunications companies." |
| For more information about this and other ways the Victorian Government is Making Broadband Happen, visit the Broadband Access Office website. |
