Telstra's Tasmanian monopoly for high speed internet is over
Today Primus Telecom announced that a new era of faster broadband has begun in Tasmania with the activation of its transmission on Basslink’s fibre-optic cable to Tasmania. Primus Telecom’s increased backhaul to Tasmania using the new Basslink cable will increase interstate capacity, while introducing increased competition on the important communications route from mainland Australia to Tasmania.
According to Primus Telecom CEO Ravi Bhatia, the company is looking forward to offering both its residential and business customers with better value data plans than ever before.
“Prior to the commissioning of Basslink, Telstra operated a monopoly in Tasmania and now that era is over. Primus Telecom is and always has been at the forefront of encouraging more competition in the Australian telecommunications market. We are delighted to have extended our capacity and coverage and are looking forward to providing Tasmanians with faster broadband with the Basslink cable,” said Ravi Bhatia.
“Basslink also provides Primus with increased flexibility to grow our service provision to customers in Tasmania due to the greater redundancy the new transmission cable gives us,” continued Mr Bhatia.
General Manager Basslink Telecoms Michael Coates said securing Primus was another satisfying milestone for the company.
“We are very pleased to welcome a quality ISP like Primus Telecom onto the Basslink backhaul capacity,” said Coates.
ENDS
About Primus www.primus.com.au
Primus Telecom is one of Australia’s largest telecommunications carriers offering a comprehensive range of high speed broadband, data, Internet, web hosting and voice products, servicing both business and residential sectors. The Primus network provides nationwide coverage through its own backbone network with facilities in 66 cities and 286 DSLAM exchanges across Australia. The network enables the Company to provide nationwide long distance services and local call Internet access. Primus operates its own fibre network in the five major capital cities, delivering a range of business direct-connect services including ISDN, frame relay, ATM, telephone line and broadband DSL, as well as telephone line and broadband DSL services direct to residential customers.
About Basslink www.basslink.com.au
Basslink is an historic Australian project that enables the trade of electricity between Tasmania and the mainland, providing secure, renewable energy and telecommunications services. The Basslink interconnector runs from Loy Yang in Gippsland, Victoria, across Bass Strait to Bell Bay in northern Tasmania. The 360km Basslink interconnector incorporates the longest submarine power cable in the world. Basslink has the capacity to export up to a maximum of 594 MW of power from Tasmania to Victoria, and import of 478 MW to Tasmania, with a continuous rating of 478 MW in each direction. Singapore-based CitySpring Infrastructure Trust is the owner and operator of Basslink. The interconnector is a $780 million project and one of the largest infrastructure projects of its type ever undertaken in Australia. Basslink continues to provide Tasmania with enhanced security of electricity supply and is working to drought-proof the state.