Australia - Telecommunications Infrastructure Inter-City Networks

Synopsis

Competition in the national backbone market was introduced in 1992 with the emergence of Optus. Since then, Australia’s state capitals have considerable network capacity, particularly along the east coast between Melbourne and Brisbane. While the infrastructure between cities is there, it is chiefly owned by Telstra and Optus, while a number of smaller network operators have constructed their own regional networks; this has led to a severe overcapacity in this market. This report overviews the technologies in use and how the networks have developed. The major operators, including players other than Telstra and Optus, are also profiled. Statistics on infrastructure providers are also included, as well statistics on telecommunications investments.