Minister launches fibre optic link

A fibre optic cable built into high voltage power lines linking Hervey Bay and Maryborough will boost broadband connections for staff and students at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Fraser Coast campus. 

USQ is a major customer of the service and provided the venue for the official launch by Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson on Monday, 30 June 2008.

Mr Wilson was in Hervey Bay for the State Government’s Community Cabinet. 

An agreement was signed by USQ, Ergon Energy, the Fraser Coast Regional Council, and the council’s telecommunications company Widelinx.

The agreement paves the way for date transfer rates from 10 to 1000 times the speed of ADSL.

'It opens a window to the world of high-speed telecommunications right here on the Fraser Coast,' Mr Wilson said.

'It will be great for university students and business and the community.'

For the past year Widelinx has been operating the link by microwave, with a new fibre optic link providing a much more reliable and faster service.

For USQ the new service will complete the installation of a fibre optic link from Toowoomba to the Fraser Coast campus.

USQ Fraser Coast acting provost Associate Professor Trudy Yuginovich said the service would allow students and staff to have high speed telecommunications access between the two campuses and would help meet the needs for future enrolment growth.

'The line will provide for more efficient and effective delivery of the university’s programs and in the delivery of web-based and online learning course,' Assoc Prof Yuginovich said.

Media contact: Katrina Corcoran, USQ Media +61 7 4120 6167