The state government has struck a deal with Soul Pattinson Telecommunications (SPT) to deliver broadband Internet services to both public and private sector organisations.
As foreshadowed in the August edition of QBR magazine, on August 11 Public Works and Housing Minister Robert Schwarten unveiled an agreement with SPT to offer "affordable" broadband services "anywhere in Queensland" where there is sufficient demand.
The deal is a continuation of the government's SmartNet policy, which involves leveraging its telecommunications spend to entice telcos to upgrade infrastructure.
In April the government struck a deal with Optus that will see the telco install fibre optic cable networks in the business areas of Rockhampton, Cairns and Townsville, in return for a government commitment to spend an average of $42 million a year on its products and services over a five-year period.
And late last month the administration signed an agreement with Telstra that will deliver the private sector - initially in Rockhampton, Townsville, Gladstone and Toowoomba - access to the telco's business-grade broadband service at a much cheaper rate, in return for more government business.
"Under the SmartNet arrangement, SPT will be a preferred supplier of broadband services to the state government," Schwarten says.
"SPT has also agreed to offer a range of affordable broadband services that can be provided anywhere in Queensland, where there is sufficient demand.
"Government agencies will be able to utilise SPT's broadband infrastructure to deliver better services from health through to education.
"It is expected the state government will act as a catalyst to bring SPT broadband services into regional towns. As agencies adopt SPT services, the private sector will also be able to access the same broadband infrastructure."
Schwarten says the real winners under the arrangement will be regional Queenslanders who will be able to take advantage of new broadband services and more affordable rates on offer.
"With additional telecommunications suppliers offering broadband services in regional Queensland, the community now has a greater choice as suppliers vie for business," he says.
"As SPT moves their competitive telecommunications network into regional Queensland, it's expected to drive down broadband costs."