Vocus, Australia's specialist digital infrastructure provider, today announced the completion of a network expansion in partnership with SABRENet, South Australia's not-for-profit high-speed research and education and innovation network.

The new 35km fibre path installed between Edinburgh Parks and Adelaide Airport will deliver an increased fibre capacity boost and critical diversity for SABRENet's research, education and innovation customers. It will also allow Vocus to provide additional diverse network services to customers in Adelaide.

The expanded network footprint supports SABRENet in offering high-speed connectivity to schools, startups, universities, research institutes and innovation precincts across the state. SABRENet supports innovation through more than 650 businesses as part of the GigCity Adelaide Program, a South Australian government initiative that is delivering affordable, high-speed internet to designated innovation precincts across Adelaide.

As part of the GigCity Program, the South Australian Government supported the project, further establishing Adelaide as a key centre for innovation. The SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport provided access to valuable underground ducts along Adelaide's Northern Connector route, significantly reducing construction costs.

Critical infrastructure for innovation

Vocus Chief Customer Officer Matt Walsh said the SABRENet expansion forms part of the company's ongoing investment in fibre as the critical enabler of Australia's digital economy.

"Vocus is deeply committed to collaborating with industry to build the essential infrastructure that powers Australia's digital future. Across the country, Vocus delivers the high-capacity fibre that enables smart cities, powers research and innovation, and helps our regions realise their economic potential," Walsh said.

SABRENet CEO Sandra Vallance said the new fibre path will provide a platform for innovation across Adelaide.

"SABRENet was founded 20 years ago through a collaboration between South Australia's three major universities and the South Australian Government, which saw a need for high-speed connectivity to support their research and education objectives. In 2016-17, that mission was expanded to also support innovation " said Vallance.

"With this new fibre capacity, we're able to offer customers in our innovation precincts diverse access to true gigabit internet starting at just $49.90 a month for micro businesses. This gives Adelaide a major competitive advantage in attracting talent and nurturing new industries."

A boost for South Australia's innovation startups

Customers set to benefit from the network expansion include Flinders University, organisations such as the Australian Institute for Machine Learning at Lot Fourteen, Tonsley Innovation District, defence research at Osborne, and a number of startup hubs across Adelaide.

Recent economic impact analysis by BDO and commissioned by SABRENet, found that for each dollar of operational subsidy from the South Australian government into the GigCity Program, $275 of Gross State Product is generated in South Australia's economy. GigCity businesses are achieving strong revenue and employment growth, with 58% reporting either revenue and/or employment growth in FY21.

Vocus and SABRENet share access to the expanded fibre footprint under a long-term partnership established in the early 2000s. The expansion was delivered in collaboration with the South Australia Department for State Development, the South Australia Department for Infrastructure and Transport, Trenchless Pipelaying Contractors (TPC) and EDC Expert Group.

"Our role is to provide the underlying digital infrastructure that powers South Australia's expanding innovation, research and education ecosystem. As that ecosystem grows and evolves, SABRENet will continue collaborating with industry partners and government to deliver the critical enabling fibre our state needs to thrive," said Ms Vallance.