EXTENSION OF LAUNCESTON BROADBAND PROJECT

8 April 2004
43/04

The Launceston Broadband Project (LBP) will continue to help residents and businesses to seize the opportunities of the information age, with an extension until June 2006.

The $30 million project is a joint initiative between Telstra and the Australian Government and has been running since 1999. The LBP aims to:

• introduce the Launceston community to new online applications through market trials and deployment of new products;

• operate a broadband applications test bed; and

• stimulate new high-technology business opportunities in the Launceston region.

The LBP will be expanded to include 1xRTT and 802.11 wireless access platforms for application trials. This will ensure that new and emerging IT wireless applications are trialed while providing tangible benefits to the Launceston community.

Under the expanded LBP, Launceston residents will have access to wireless data services and the business community will have increased mobility and access to data services away from the office.

As part of the extension, content filtering trials will be conducted to assess both the technical performance of filtering technologies and consumer response to them.

The extended project will also provide greater engagement between the B-eLab and the Tasmanian ICT community.

The LBP aims to stimulate new high-tech business opportunities in Launceston by enhancing the level of local ICT participation and an 'Industry Engagement Plan' is being developed between Telstra and local industry to help refocus industry involvement in the LBP.

The extension of the LBP demonstrates the Australian Government's commitment to ICT development and is part of several major ICT projects in Tasmania bringing long-term benefits to the local ICT sector and the community.


Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373