Telecommunications project launch (31/07/2004)

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Ballarat’s ground breaking $14.5 million telecommunications project has become a reality.
Innovation Minister John Brumby launched the Australian first Collaborative Optical Leading Testbed (COLT) Project at the Greenhill Enterprise Centre at Ballarat University’s campus.

The leading edge, fibre optic infrastructure will provide affordable information delivery - 400 times faster than current broadband services.

The roll out will deliver instant videophone conferencing, better quality digital and pay tv, seamless video conference and broadcasting.
It also enables telemedicine applications such as 3D imaging transmission for surgeons and the potential for diagnosis in the home.

Mr Brumby said the infrastructure provided opportunities for leading local and international companies, universities and healthcare institutes to trial next generation ICT services and applications.

Mr Brumby said major growth in the demand for bandwith and the roll out of broadband communication services to users, had seen communicatons network traffic double every 9 to 12 months.

And he said COLT would potentially increase fibre-to-the-home sales in Australia by more than $100 million over the next 5 years.

There’s no doubt that COLT is attracting significant international attention and involvement and there’s no doubt it will generate jobs growh.
University of Ballarat vice Chancellor Kerry Cox said the project was a result of top experts working together.
“I think what we have here is a celebration of what we can do if we focus,” he said.
COLT foundation member and CEOS managing director said the technology met demands.
“It’s about the needs of people today. Australia is a unique place and Victoria is the home of innovation and Ballarat is the driver for this project.

The COLT consortium included contributions from CEOS, Hitachi, Cisco Systems, Intel, PowerCor, Telecom, IP Systems, Redcentre, CommTel, Victorian Photonics Network, Corning and Agilent Technologies, along with the University of Ballarat and cBallarat.

City aims for India. (8/10/04)
The city of Ballarat is aiming to open up a passage to India.
Delegates from Ballarat have been invited to attend a State Government Trade Mission to the country later this month.
Ballarat is the only city council taking part in the jtrip to the world's second most populous country, mainly due to its growing reputation as Victoria's IT capital.
The city will join more than 30 organisations aiming to develop trade links at Asia's largest IT fair, held in Bangalore.
While in India, the city also hopes to encourage more skilled migrants and persuade the Indians to use Ballarat as their training base for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
Bangalore is the main base of IBM in India and the city hopes to strengthen its ties with the computer giant, which also has an operation at the Ballarat Technology Park.
Chief executive officer Richard Hancock said "Ballarat does have a strong reputation in information technology and we hope to build on that in one of the largest IT markets in the world. We can also use the trip to promote IT businesses based in Ballarat, as well as network with employment agencies about possible skilled migration to the city.
Ballarat was directly approached by Multimedia Victoria to attend this trip, so it's a good indication of how highly the city is regarded."
Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, said the state had identified India as one of its key markets for export growth.
"This mission is a great opportunity for our companies to tap into the lucrative Indian market" she said.