Basslink fibre goes live; Internode tests

Stephen Withers
Monday, 06 July 2009 11:57

Business IT - Networking

Customer data has begun flowing over the BassLink fibre-optic connection between Victoria and Tasmania.

In April, Basslink Telecoms predicted that the first customer services would be traversing the cable by the end of June. That target wasn't quite achieved, but data is now flowing beneath Bass Strait on a cable that isn't owned by Telstra.

According to CommsDay, Aurora began routing live traffic across the link today.

David Bartlett, Premier of Tasmania welcomed the news, saying "The lighting up of Basslink is a massive step forward for the state and an important precursor to the National Broadband Network (NBN) roll out in Tasmania which I announced with Senator Conroy on 8 April."

"This infrastructure will underpin our economic strength and jobs growth for decades to come," he added.

Consumer action group Digital Tasmania also welcomed the news.

"Until today, only one company has had control of fibre optic telecommunications into and out of the state. This has lead to high prices, many multiples higher than both domestic and international routes," said spokesperson Andrew Connor.

"Already, we are hearing from ISPs about the positive effect of a serious competitor in this market.

"Services such as cheaper wireless broadband, faster business to business connections and better value for money ADSL2+ services are amongst some of the benefits we may see announced in the coming months."

And Internode is about to start using the cable too - see page 2.