For Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast Lays Its Own Fiber Optics

The Gold Coast City Council in Australia is set to pay $3.6 million to lay down its own fiber optic cable in the quest for high-speed internet.

Fiber optic cabling. Courtesy of the Gold Coast Bulletin.

In preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the council network will run from Griffith University, the base of the Health and Knowledge Precinct and the Commonwealth Games Village, south to Broadbeach, connecting with the game’s convention center. The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations, including Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland and Wales.

The fiber optic cable will follow the light-rail route, branching out to Surfers Paradise, Southport and Broadbeach, expected to provide up to 100 mb/s in both directions. The council took action after the National Broadband Network revealed that it would not arrive in the city until after the international event.

Fiber optic cables will be installed in conduits along the Gold Coast tramline. Courtesy of Mike Batterham.

“We are committed to making fiber optics available for the Commonwealth Games,” said Tom Tate, mayor of Gold Coast.