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Bevan Slattery’s national fibre optic network HyperOne has selected a regional Victorian business to construct one of two legs between Melbourne and Sydney as part of the $1.5 billion project.
Rochester-headquartered UCG-5DG will deliver more than 1,000kms of new fibre as part of the project which HyperOne hopes will improve connectivity between the two cities and create more than 200 new access points for regional communities along the route.
HyperOne founder and serial entrepreneur Bevan Slattery said the company had made the decision to contract locally to support Australian businesses and to build the nation’s digital infrastructure skills.
“Our focus has always been on delivering a new digital backbone, built by Australians for Australians - and this contract with UGC-5DG reflects our commitment to Aussie jobs,” Slattery said.
“With our new network we will improve the reliability and quality of connectivity across Australia especially in regional, rural and remote communities who have been left behind.
“We also want to deliver the jobs and training opportunities for more Australian workers to gain employment in the digital economy especially in telecommunications infrastructure.”
The founder added that HyperOne had selected a highly experienced partner in UGC-5DG.
“We are excited to be partnering with UGC-5DG on the delivery of these first segments,” said Slattery, who recently launched a new investment vehicle called Soda, adding to his large portfolio of companies which includes NEXTDC (ASX: NXT), Megaport (ASX: MP1), Superloop (ASX: SLC), Asia Pacific Data Centre Trust and PIPE Networks.
“UGC-5DG brings a tremendous amount of experience having built some of the most significant telecommunications projects over the last 20 years."
UGC-5DG project director Ric Oldham said the consortium would partner with local communities to source skilled people for the project.
“We will be looking to create local jobs for local workers, across the route, spreading the benefits of this project across regional communities,” Oldham said.
“UGC-5DG will also engage with local Indigenous suppliers for construction capability to assist with the environmental oversight in regional and rural areas.”
The build comprises HyperOne’s plans to connect every Australian capital city via a 20,000km network capable of transmitting 10,000 terrabits per second.
In mid-December the company announced it selected AFL Global to produce the fibre optic cable that will make up the $1.5 billion project - Phase 1a of which is already underway.
Slattery said the first stage of the network, expected to be completed by December 2022, would deliver a critical upgrade to digital infrastructure between Australia’s two most populous cities (Sydney and Melbourne) and the nation’s capital.
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