The Territory’s high-speed network and digital capabilities now have 25 times more capacity, following the successful completion of the first stage of Terabit Territory.

The project has seen capacity soar from 400 gigabits to 20 terabits, in a partnership between the Territory Labor Government and Vocus.

The once-in-a-generation upgrades have transformed the Territory’s fibre-optic cable network via the Adelaide-Darwin-Brisbane routes, ensuring better connectivity to the rest of Australia.

The increased speed and volume of digital services will:

·       Ensure faster internet speeds in the Territory;

·       Attract new businesses to the Territory;

·       Attract private investment in data centres, a new industry for the Territory; and

·       Create a direct fibre-optic link to the huge technology hubs in Singapore and South-East Asia

Vocus says the project created 137 new jobs for Territorians, and construction work for local businesses for civil, electrical, welding, haulage and machining works.

The Territory Labor Government has invested $7.9 million into Terabit Territory as part of the Local Jobs Fund, with Vocus contributing an additional $10 million to the project.

Terabit Territory will position Darwin as a highly-competitive location to maximise economic growth and investment in the digital space, which will have flow on benefits for the economy with more jobs and opportunities for businesses.

It will also catalyse to expand into data markets in Asia and beyond.

Quotes from Chief Minister, Michael Gunner:

“Terabit Territory is supercharging our digital capabilities and opening up the NT as an investment destination for new industries, and a telecommunications gateway between Australia and Asia.  

“We’ve got a prime location on South-East Asia’s doorstep, and we have the capability to build data centres to service the region.

“Now we have the fibre-optic network to make it all happen.”

Quotes from Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, Paul Kirby:

“This is a once-in-a-generation communications upgrade that will bring new investment, new industries and new jobs to the Territory.

“Terabit Territory is a bold step forward for digital development in the Territory that will help ensure reliable internet and phone access across Australia.

“Dependable digital connections are critical for our economy and we know businesses want fast, reliable cost-effective telecommunications."

Quotes from Vocus CEO, Kevin Russell:

“The Terabit Territory is a game-changer for Vocus and the Territory, establishing Darwin as a major new gateway for capacity from Asia to other mainland capital cities.

“This major upgrade to Vocus’s fibre infrastructure will deliver a new level of competition in the Territory and substantially increase capacity from Australia’s north-west to other capital cities.

“This infrastructure will open up the market by providing more competitive pricing to major metropolitan areas – and position Darwin as a market for new technologies such as edge data centres and hyperscale cloud facilities.”