The ASC, which spans 4,600km and transmits 60 Terabits per second, provides connection between Australia and Christmas Island.

ASC will also deliver backhaul to Telstra, replacing the telco provider’s satellite backhaul as it expands and upgrades its 2G mobile network to 4GX technology.

The project is funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Regional Connectivity Program (worth $257 million) announced by Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud MP and Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie.

“This is a welcome investment in the region. These new Telstra macro and small cell mobile sites will provide new and improved mobile, voice and data connectivity for residents and visitors to these regions. The upgrade will also support local businesses and community facilities, enabling increased residential access to essential services such as telehealth and education,” Minister McKenzie said.

Vocus contributed $2.5 million to the project in the form of access to services to ASC while Telstra also donated the same amount, with the remainder funded by the Commonwealth Government.

Vocus is currently deploying Project Highclere, a $100 million 1,000km submarine cable connection between the ASC and the North West Cable System (NWCS), which stretches from Port Hedland to Darwin.

This connection will be the final piece in establishing the Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable system, a $500 million ecosystem of cables connecting Darwin, Port Hedland, Perth, Christmas Island, Jakarta, and Singapore.

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 11 May 2022.