Two major regional towns in South Australia now have access to the same fast, low-cost internet that is available in capital cities. 

Key points:

  • Eligible businesses in Whyalla and Mount Gambier can now receive ultra-fast internet
  • There are nearly 40 businesses connected to the GigCity network across the two regional cities
  • GigCity will make internet access faster and less expensive in regional areas

Whyalla and Mount Gambier have become the first regional centres in the state to connect to the state government-funded GigCity network. 

Nearly 40 eligible businesses across the two towns have connected to the internet service.

Deputy Premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan said regional towns that had experienced poor digital connectivity in the past would have access to internet speeds and pricing comparable to that available in Adelaide. 

“One thing the pandemic has highlighted is that many jobs can be performed from just about anywhere in the world, provided the connectivity is up to standard,” he said.

“Whyalla and Mount Gambier are now just such places.”

Deputy Premier Dan van Holst Pellekaan says there are now more than 500 businesses with access to GigCity across 23 precincts.(ABC News: Gillian Aeria)

The GigCity infrastructure was delivered by South Australian Company MIMP Connecting Solutions. 

Chief executive Allan Aitchison said the gigabit-speed networks were based on the latest microwave technology.

A 10-gigabit wireless ring was installed around each city, which connects back to Adelaide through fibre-optic links, he said.

‘Game changer’ for regional businesses

Business owner Tim Gilbert, of Whyalla-based web design business CodeMash, said slow and unreliable internet had been a long-standing issue in the region. 

“It’s predominantly just a copper-based system here in Whyalla, so if you get a bit of water in there, if you’re far away from your node, you get a terrible speed.”

Mr Gilbert said there had been a lot of interest in the network upgrade and he would like to see it further extended across the regions.

“The morning I was getting our service installed here, a couple of our clients came in asking what was going on and they’ve hopped on board immediately and got their services connected,” he said.

“There is a high demand, and it’s fantastic that our rural areas are getting looked after.”