Construction has begun on the $35 million Sunshine Coast International Broadband Submarine Cable network project to provide Australia with faster data and telecommunication transmission speeds to Asia.
An undersea fibre optic cable will be built to connect the Sunshine Coast and Queensland directly to Asia and the United States.
The project is expected to add around $927 million to the Queensland economy and create 864 new jobs.
It aims to help future proof the region and provide businesses that have large data requirements the infrastructure required to invest locally.
RTI Connectivity is building a 9600 kilometres cable between Japan, Guam and Australia, with a 550 kilometres branch to connect the cable with a new landing station at Maroochydore.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the cable will prove a key catalyst in boosting the local economy.
“Connecting Queensland directly to a major international hub will future-proof our digital infrastructure and provide massive economic stimulus for the Sunshine Coast,” he said,
“This is a transformative development for the fast-growing Sunshine Coast, delivering the only international cable landing on the east coast of Australia outside of Sydney.
“The Queensland Government is proud to support Sunshine Coast Council in delivering this visionary infrastructure with $15 million funding through our $150 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund,” Dick said.
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Sunshine Coast Council will invest the additional $20 million to deliver the $35 million Sunshine Coast International Broadband Submarine Cable network project.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said the council is the first local government in Australia that’s been able to secure investment in an international broadband submarine cable
“The cable will provide the Sunshine Coast and Queensland with direct data and telecommunications connectivity to Japan, Hong Kong and the United States, increasing the speed and capacity of Queensland’s international connections,” Jamieson said.
“Our Sunshine Coast is fast becoming a digital leader, and the submarine cable network will help position our region as a key digital trading hub from Australia.
“By now being able to offer Australia’s fastest international data connection point to Asia, this will provide a significant step-change in the Sunshine Coast’s attractiveness as an investment location,” he said.
The submarine cable network is expected to be in service by mid-2020.