NBN – A reality for North Queensland

First published 13 June, 2012

North Queensland business operators are invited to hear first hand how the National Broadband Network (NBN) will impact their operations as the rollout begins to gain momentum.

The NBN is a national wholesale-only, open-access data network, which is the largest infrastructure project in Australian history. Up to one gigabit per second connections are sold to retail service providers (RSP), who then sell internet access and other services to consumers.

The network is estimated to cost A$35.9 billion to construct over a 10-year period.

The NBN Co, which was created in August 2009, will build the NBN.

NBN Co Chief Executive Officer Mike Quigley will make a presentation at a Business Excellence Series in the Tropics (BEST) event in Townsville next week (Wednesday, 20 June). The BEST series is an initiative of James Cook University’s School of Business.

It is the first time Mr Quigley has been in the region to present to business and community leaders.

Professor David Low, Head of the School of Business, said the implications of the NBN for regional Queensland were both complex and significant.

“As our regional population base continues to increase, our economy is evolving to reflect global business trends and the true potential of the digital economy is only now being realised,” he said.

Professor Low said with most of the major components of the NBN rollout now in place, NBN Co had moved from planning to execution.

“It is a crucial time for development in North and Far North Queensland.

“The NBN will transform educational and health services in North Queensland and revolutionise business practices.”

Professor Low said it was a coup for JCU to secure Mr Quigley to visit and explain the rollout-out and construction details of the NBN.

“This is a great opportunity for our local business community to find out what’s happening.”

NBN Co has construction contractors working in all states and territories, has established supply chain arrangements for equipment and materials, and with the Telstra definitive agreement finalised, has now entered the rollout phase.

Mr Quigley is also an Independent Director on the Board of Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and is on the Advisory Board of the Institute for a Broadband-Enabled Society.

There will be a post-presentation interview of Mike Quigley by Professor David Low, Head of the JCU School of Business.

Date: Wednesday 20 June 2012

Time: 12.00pm - 2.00pm

Venue: Rydges Southbank Convention Centre, Palmer Street, Townsville

Cost: $70 pp, $520 for group booking (table of eight), $60 pp for JCU staff

Registration: http://alumni.jcu.edu.au/BEST_Quigley_Tsv

Registrations close Thursday 14 June, 2012

For more information contact: best@jcu.edu.au

For interviews, contact: Professor David Low on (07) 4781 4239

JCU Media contact: Caroline Kaurila (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175

Jim O'Brien of 776staff last updated this page on 15 May 2013.