i3 Group plans to deliver ‘Fibrecity’ superfast broadband network to Brisbane
Thursday, 14 October 2010
Following the successful trial of its low cost fibre to the
home network, i3 Asia-Pacific, an i3 Group company, is excited
about plans to deliver its technology to Brisbane. The technology
will make Brisbane Australia's first Fibrecity with all homes and
businesses having access to 100mb per second broadband within four
years.
Work on the fibre optic network will start in early 2011 and
will be delivered using the Group's proven low cost methodologies
which include the use of existing ducts such as the sewer system,
and microtrenching to lay the fibre optic cables. The Group's
methods are far less disruptive than more traditional methods of
building communications infrastructure, as it avoids road digs and
also means it can be built much faster.
Mr Elfed Thomas, CEO of i3 Group said, "The key to successful
rollout of fibre to the home is cost. As Fibrecity networks are a
commercially funded project, costs are critical. Our suite of
technologies allows the cost per home to be up to 60% less than
traditional build. We have completed a survey of the assets in
Brisbane and conclude that these savings are realistic".
As well as superfast connectivity, residents and businesses in
Fibrecity Brisbane will benefit from increased choice of services
and service providers, as the Fibrecity network is open access
which means that any service provider can utilise the superfast
network to deliver its services via the Group's open access
gateway. This approach reduces penetration concerns which have
hindered other FTTH projects.
By the end of 2013, the i3 Group will have connected almost one
million UK homes with broadband capable of supporting speeds of up
to 1Gbps on an open access wholesale basis. For business and
commercial customers speeds will be even faster. The company has
also completed trials in the USA.
Mr Thomas said the Group's Fibrecity networks are complementary
to the work of the National Broadband Network (NBN).
"Our work with Brisbane City Council complements the NBN's work
by ensuring millions of Australian citizens have access to next
generation Internet services through a cost effective and
commercially viable fibre optic network."
For further information, please contact:
Lee McLean PPR (07) 3309 4702 or 0411 868 348
About i3 Asia-Pacific
Formed in 2002, i3 Group is a pioneer of deploying dark fibre in
the UK's waste water network to enable connectivity. Known as its
patented FS System, this method is a fast and cost-effective way to
lay fibre optic cable and link up any location without the high
costs and disruption caused by road digging.
i3 Group comprises: Fibrecity Holdings Ltd, H2O Networks Ltd, i3
International Ltd, H2O Support Services Ltd, Fibre Associates Ltd,
Wireless Network Systems Ltd, i3 Asia-Pacific Pty Ltd and i3
America.
Fibrecity networks provide a large-scale fibre-to-the home
network which connects every new and existing home and business in
a town or city. Fibrecities also offer an open access platform for
multiple service providers to offer their services to connected
homes.
Using sewer networks as small as 150mm in diameter to deploy the
cable system (known as i3 Group's FS System) puts the network in
reach of all premises in a town or city with less disruption and
cost. Fibrecity networks are successfully operating in the UK with
no interference to the proper sewer operations.
In December 2009 the i3 Group's FS System was used in Brisbane
to build a 1.4km fibre optic network for the Council's use. The
trial was completed over three nights with no disruption to traffic
flows.
Fibrecity, Fibrezone, Darc, Focus System Fibre Optical Cable
Underground Sewer System (FS System) are all registered trademarks
of i3 Group Limited
For further information please visit: www.i3-group.co.uk