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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2011-04-05 Daily Xml
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Question Time

BROADBAND INTERNET

Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:48): My question is to the Minister for Science and Information Economy. How is the government helping to support the provision of high speed internet in broadband blackspot areas?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (14:48): As the internet has become a more pervasive part of our everyday lives, accessibility to online services has become crucial. Indeed, online service systems have fundamentally transformed not only the way that we provide public services but also business services, and the provision of new services through high speed broadband has opened up even more opportunities for innovation. However, due to limitations in existing broadband technology, there have been parts of the metropolitan area that have not been able to access high speed internet through the conventional ADSL technology.

These blackspot areas that have previously missed out on broadband have been provided with access to high speed internet through the rollout of the Adam Max, a wireless high speed broadband project developed in partnership between the state government and Adam Internet, using international standard WiMAX technology. This project has resulted in high speed broadband being extended to 59 locations throughout the Adelaide area, benefiting some 3,000 households and businesses.

Last night, the project was announced as the winner of the Growing Prosperity category of the 2011 Premier's Awards—Showcasing excellence in the public sector. This award recognises the fantastic benefits that have arisen from this project in terms of not only increased efficiencies for local businesses but also better opportunities for the wider community.

I had the opportunity today to meet the Managing Director of Adam Internet, Scott Hicks, and I congratulated him and his team on employing something like 200 South Australians in this very innovative industry. Indeed, according to one independent analysis, it has been estimated that over the past five years from the beginning of the project the economic benefit of removing Adelaide's blackspots would be $63.6 million.

The project was made possible through a $3 million contribution from the South Australian government, as well as an investment from Adam Internet and the connection subsidies from the Australian government. I congratulate Adam Internet and staff from the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology on their success in delivering this highly successful and innovative project.

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