As the successful proponent of the Northern Territory Government’s data centre Expression of Interest (EOI) process, NEXTDC will further expand its digital infrastructure platform with the development of a new Tier III data centre facility (D1) and Mission Critical Operations centre in the Darwin CBD.

“We’re excited to work with NEXTDC to build this world-class data centre in Darwin,” said NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner. “We want to make the Territory a hub for digital industries and investment, and now we can look forward to building infrastructure that will create new jobs and opportunities, which will support local tradies.”

NEXTDC says D1 will further expand its national network of data centres which will be ideally positioned to support the growing needs of the Territory’s digital economy. NEXTDC will work in partnership with the Northern Territory Government to support its vision to establish the Territory as Northern Australia’s leading digital economy and Australia’s digital gateway to Asia, the company said.

Vocus will provide high-capacity connectivity to D1 on its Terabit Territory fibre network, as well as being an anchor tenant in the facility. D1 will also support Vocus’ in-progress fibre infrastructure deployments in Australia’s north, including the Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable system and the Project Horizon fibre between Darwin and Perth via Port Hedland, NEXTDC said.

“We are honoured to have been selected by the Northern Territory Government as its strategic partner to work together to continue to strengthen the Territory’s digital industry” said NEXTDC CEO Craig Scroggie. “This digital infrastructure development represents an important investment for the NT, that will further support and accelerate the growth of the northern digital gateway in Australia”.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 25 October 2021.