SA expands GigCity network to two Adelaide districts
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Two innovation districts have joined the GigCity Adelaide fibre network, providing ultra-fast gigabit digital connectivity to more businesses and start-ups.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni will be announcing later today that the Unley Civic Centre will join the network, following the announcement of the Healthy Living Precinct in Welland joining last week.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is investing more than $194,000 over 3 years to connect Welland and Unley to the growing GigCity Adelaide network,” Minister Pisoni said.
“The two new sites will join the other 23 GigCity innovation precincts, which are already providing access to 390 businesses with affordable high-speed internet connectivity at market-leading prices.”
Though Unley Civic Centre is currently under refurbishment, it is expected to attract up to 35 businesses once completed. The Healthy Living Precinct in Welland currently houses more than 11 startups and health care providers.
South Australian businesses and start-ups will have now new market opportunities since having affordable access to ultra-fast internet reduces entry barriers. This will enable young entrepreneurs and cultural creatives in the state to thrive.
With the Hi-Tech Sector Plan 2030 and infrastructure investments in the GigCity network, Minister Pisoni believes that the state is on the path to becoming a leading hi-tech centre with a highly connected ecosystem of businesses, researchers and investors.
Connecting more businesses to the GigCity network provides opportunities to strengthen the businesses’ capability and connectivity. It will also support the adoption of new technologies as the state leads the way to a new economy shaped by innovation and opportunity.
“Bringing the GigCity Adelaide network to Welland and Unley will attract more entrepreneurs and businesses to these growing metropolitan innovation hubs to take advantage of the unique service,” Minister Pisoni said.
Healthy Living Precinct Managing Director Nick Tsamaidis said the district was a unique startup hub for social enterprise, wellbeing and primary care, with a collaborative space servicing disability, aged care and the local community.
“It brings together for the first time, citizens, health and wellness practitioners, lifestyle providers and social enterprises under one roof,” Director Tsamaidis said.
“Access to fast, affordable and reliable gigabit internet ensures our startups and practitioners on-site can deliver new products and services for consumers, better models of care and new market opportunities to turbocharge health and wellbeing innovation in SA.”
City of Charles Sturt Mayor Angela Evans said the GigCity connection for the Welland Healthy Living Precinct will play a vital part in activating the area, connecting it with other GigCity health precincts.
“We are city-focused on supporting our local businesses and economic growth in our area and this will lead to further collaboration between businesses, foster growth and will enhance the capabilities of the precinct in supporting local health and ageing well programs and projects with a digital focus for our community,” Mayor Evans said.
“We are thrilled to join the South Australian GigCity Network. By becoming a GigCity that provides high-speed internet services and interconnection with other innovation precincts, we are building infrastructure to support local business growth and entrepreneurship,” City of Unley CEO Peter Tsokas said.
“The first phase of our rollout is connecting the Edmund Avenue Cottages Co-working and Business Innovation Hub to the broader innovation network. This rollout, made possible with a State Government funding contribution, will be an important step toward our community benefiting from the development and attraction of new types of high-tech businesses.”
The GigCity Adelaide network is implemented and delivered over the South Australian Broadband Research and Education Network (SABRENet) fibre optic network using Adelaide-based Internet Service Provider, EscapeNet.
The additional GigCity precincts were selected as part of a competitive Expression of Interest process, which opened in March 2021. The GigCity service is also being deployed to eligible businesses in Mt Gambier and Whyalla at comparable rates.
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
