JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

$42.5 MILLION FOR BANDWIDTH DEVELOPMENT

20 December, 2002

The Commonwealth Government will invest $42.5 million over the next two years in bandwidth infrastructure for Australian universities.

The Commonwealth will establish the Australian Research and Education Network (AREN) to significantly increase bandwidth connectivity to universities - particularly those in regional areas.

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data which can be transmitted between two locations in a network over a given time. The availability of accessible and affordable bandwidth is a major issue as it is central to the operation of modern universities.

A large bandwidth connection enables a researcher to control a large instrument in remote or distant locality, such as a radio telescope, from their laboratory on campus. Alternatively, it enables a university to provide online courses to many more students than they can at present. Increased bandwidth can also link groups of researchers in different parts of the country or overseas in real time with advanced video conferencing facilities, enabling far greater collaboration at reduced cost.

AREN will be the next generation communications network that will keep Australian universities at the forefront of education and research. It will also improve connections for metropolitan institutions and international connectivity.

The AREN will address future as well as current bandwidth needs of Australian higher education institutions and the research community.

The establishment of AREN has been guided by the Higher Education Bandwidth Advisory Committee’s report: A Framework for an Australian Research and Education Network. This report identifies regional Queensland, the Northern Territory, north eastern NSW and Tasmania as high priority areas needing improved bandwidth.

The network represents one element of the Government’s strategic review of broadband policy within the wider context of communications policy and has clear synergies with the recommendations of the Estens Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, and the work of Senator Alston’s Broadband Advisory Group.

The need for a coordinated national approach to address high bandwidth issues is a key theme that the Broadband Advisory Group has been considering. The Group’s report is expected to be released early in the new year.

Immediate funding for the AREN of $2.5 million (and $3 million in 2003) will bring a 2.5 Gbps backbone connection from Brisbane to Townsville via Rockhampton. This will give James Cook University and Central Queensland University over 100 times their current bandwidth capacity.

This backbone connection is the first phase in an overall plan to improve connections to regional campuses nationwide.

The Commonwealth’s $3 billion innovation action plan, Backing Australia’s Ability, is providing $42.5 million for AREN through the Systemic Infrastructure Initiative.

The network demonstrates the Commonwealth's commitment to ensuring that all Australians are able to share in the economic and social benefits of broadband technology.

A Framework for an Australian Research and Education Network is available at:
http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/otherpub.htm#bandwidth 

For further information:

Dr Nelson’s Office: Yaron Finkelstein 0414 927 663

Senator Alston’s Office: Simon Troeth 0439 425 373

Copyright  |  Disclaimer  |  Privacy Statement