The Gold Coast will soon be connected to the information super highway after the Federal Government announced the city had been included in the next roll out of the National Broadband Network (NBN).

The announcement could see NBN roll out works begin on the Gold Coast in the next 24 months.

Acting Mayor Daphne McDonald said the announcement was a great outcome for the city and would bolster the push for the Gold Coast to become a major IT and data hub.

“Businesses will be able to take advantage of high-quality video conferencing, online applications such as cloud computing and e-commerce and residents will have access to online health applications, online education and new entertainment services,” said Cr McDonald.

“The rollout of optical fibre broadband on the Gold Coast will not only have significant benefits for our residents and local businesses, it will provide the vital infrastructure needed to help lure major multi-national companies to the city.

“There has been a strong push to diversify our economy by positioning the city as an ideal location for major companies to establish IT operations, call centres and research bases here, but without reliable high-speed broadband, we are simply less attractive as an option.

“With high-speed optical fibre broadband, highly-skilled local university graduates and a number of major IT firms already having a presence here, the Gold Coast will be a much more attractive proposition for large companies to base their operations – and this means jobs.

The following Gold Coast suburbs are expected to have NBN coverage by 30 June 2015. Nerang, Gilston, Highland Park, Benowa, Bundall, Molendinar, Ashmore, Broadbeach Waters, Broadbeach, Miami, Mermaid Waters, Mermaid Beach, Clear Island Waters, Surfers Paradise, Labrador, Southport, Main Beach.

Go to http://www.businessgc.com.au/nbn for more information.

02 April 2012