New broadband link for WA

6/12/02
A new, transcontinental broadband cable link was officially opened today by Local Government and Regional Development Minister Tom Stephens.
Mr Stephens described the launch of IP1 Australia - a wholesaler which provides services to other carriers - as an important event for Western Australia, given that communications infrastructure had become an integral part of not just the business sector, but the community as a whole.
"IP1 Australia - a name which reflects the fact that it links the Indian and Pacific Oceans - provides a 3,875km fibre optic DWDM (dense wave division multiplexing) backbone between Perth and Melbourne, via Adelaide," Mr Stephens said.
"As such, it forms a major part of a national network between Perth and Brisbane.
"A significant feature of this initiative is not just the added capacity across the Nullarbor, but also the introduction of independent competition into the provision of broadband communication services. IP1 and its 20 per cent parent, Perth-based Amcom Pty Ltd, are among the few Telco carriers that build and own their own network infrastructure.
"Over the past decade, increased competition in telecommunications industry has resulted in some significant benefits for consumers, especially in terms of increased services, a greater choice of suppliers and lower prices.
"The WA Government sees broadband services as not only offering economic benefits through the reduction of transaction costs and the enabling of E-commerce, but also as a means of delivering Government services to all Australians."
Minister's office: 9213 6500