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Basslink

In 2000, Basslink (now National Grid) was selected to build, own and operate an undersea electricity cable across Bass Strait. The company was encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to lay optic-fibre cable alongside it. The fibre optic cable will provide communication and real-time monitoring between the two Basslink converter stations. Spare capacity on the cable will be available for lease by telecommunication service providers.

The Tasmanian Government also has a cooperative arrangement with Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) for access to the Basslink optic fibre between Tasmania and the mainland.

The Basslink optic fibre telecommunications facility has the key characteristics of:

• Total length of the undersea cable is approximately 295Km;
• Total length of the underground cable sections is some 8.1km; and
• Land based optical fibre provided from landfall to the connection points at either end is to be Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) and has a total distance of 71.6Km.

The Basslink optic fibre cable connection is available, but is not currently being utilised. In August 2006, the Tasmanian State Government announced they are seeking a partner to develop the fibre-optic Connect Tasmania network and provide broadband service in competition with Telstra. The Government has arrangements for an exclusive connection to the Basslink optic fibre cable under its Connect Tasmania initiative.

The Tasmanian Government has invested around $30million to create the Connect Tasmania network, which includes a 420km optic fibre backbone running alongside natural gas piplines between the north, south and north west regions and arrangements for an exclusive connection to the Basslink optic fibre cable.

Gas Pipeline and Broadband for Regional Centres

The Tasmanian Government entered into an agreement with carrier Tas21 to construct a 420km optic-fibre backbone connecting North, North West and Southern Tasmania, as part of the gas trench. This cable is the foundation of the Connect Tasmania network.

The Government is adding around 100km of underground fibre to the Connect Tasmania network, extending the cable into points of presence in central Hobart, Launceston, Burnie and Devonport. The extensions take advantage of the Powerco Limited gas distribution to reduce the cost of trenching for conduit to house the optic fibre. The Commonwealth Government has agreed to contribute $1.5 million to the project, Broadband for Regional Centres, and the Tasmanian Government will cover the remaining cost.

Broadband for Regional Centres has two stages. The reticulation of telecommunications conduit by Powerco, in conjunction with the gas roll-out, was completed to testing stage in May 2005. Stage two is the installation of optic fibre cable on those conduit routes, to be undertaken by Telstra NDC, who were selected through a competitive tender process.

The new broadband infrastructure will enable services to hospitals, schools, university and TAFE campuses in regions that have not attracted competitive commercial providers. The backbone will also provide the foundation for the Tasmanian Research and Education Network (TREN) which is being established by the University of Tasmania and AARNet to connect Tasmania's research and higher education institutions.

The Tasmanian Collaborative Optical Leading Testbed (TasCOLT)

The Tasmanian Collaborative Optical Leading Testbed (TasCOLT) is a significant development for Australia, as it is trialling the commercial viability of rolling out high-speed broadband network services, through optic fibre, to the door of homes, businesses, health and education institutions. TasCOLT is using the optic fibre network that the State Government purchased and will deliver broadband at speeds up to 1000 times faster than conventional broadband. Residents and businesses that wish to participate will be connected via the existing Aurora power poles, however this technology is different to Aurora?s broadband over the powerlines (BPL) project.

TasCOLT is a $10 million ultra-broadband project which includes a Tasmanian Government grant of $3 million for establishment of the test-bed and a two-year commercial trial. The trial will be open to around 800 houses in New Town, and 170 each for South Hobart and Devonport.

The trial will provide:

• Ultra high-speed data and internet access;
• The capacity for multiple voice lines and services;
• High-definition television;
• Video and media on demand;
• Interactive TV/home entertainment;
• Advanced person-to-person communications such as video conferencing; and
• Next generation eLearning and eHealth (telemedicine) applications that demand extreme bandwidth.

TasCOLT will be contructed by Aurora Energy and teh services will be retailed by TasTel, which is expected to commence marketing services to premises with installed fibre connections in July 2007.

Broadband for Rural Tasmania (BRT)

In 2002, the Government started the Broadband for Rural Tasmania (BRT) project as a joint initiative with the University of Tasmania. During 2003 and 2004, BRT rolled out new business-grade broadband connections to 87 health and education institutions in 46 rural and remote towns. By increasing the quantity, quality and affordability of local broadband services, the project is enabling improvements in local education and health services in rural and remote locations.

The roll-out of BRT facilities in the selected rural towns by Telstra also provides the opportunity for broadband services to be purchased by other government agencies and organisations, while local businesses may purchase through separate commercial arrangements.

Tasmanian Research and Education Network (TREN)

The Tasmanian Research and Education Network, or TREN, will use the Connect Tasmania network.

This project will contribute towards a high bandwidth backbone within Tasmania for higher education and research institutions. Higher bandwidth will both improve existing services and open new opportunities for collaboration and research.

TREN will interconnect to, and form part of, the Australian Research and Education Network (AREN).