Sunshine Coast businesses have been given a major boost, with a Queensland technology company announcing its first edge data centre in the region.
NEXTDC’s new edge data centre will be called SC1 and is the first in a series of geographically dispersed, edge data centres that the company will build across Australia.
An edge data centre is a small data centre located close to businesses and populations.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development said it was no surprise NEXTDC chose Queensland to launch their first regional data centre – SC1.
“In 2017 we announced $15 million to support the Sunshine Coast Council in delivering Queensland’s first direct International Broadband Network Cable Landing Station and now we can see the benefits of that investment,” Mr Miles said.
“This digital infrastructure has been vital for today’s announcement and is key to further economic development of the region, repositioning the Sunshine Coast from a predominantly tourism and lifestyle destination to a contemporary business location.
“Facilitating the transfer of the cable landing station from the Sunshine Coast Council to NEXTDC opened opportunities for the jobs of the future for the region.
“The regional data centre is a perfect example of how state and local government initiatives can attract private-sector investment and generate more opportunities for the regions.”
To deliver regional businesses enhanced access to cloud and digital infrastructure, NEXTDC will not only use the Cable Landing Station, they will also leverage the Japan-Guam-Australia South (JGA-S) submarine cable being built by RTI Connectivity. It’s Queensland’s first undersea fibre-optic cable and provides the fastest data connection to Asia from Australia’s east coast.
Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick welcomed NEXTDC’s investment in taking this infrastructure to the next level.
“When we first made the commitment to partner with Sunshine Coast Council to secure the undersea cable landing into Maroochydore, we knew it was a catalytic step that would bring a new era of connectivity, data capacity, speed and reliability,” the Treasurer said.
“It’s vital we give businesses and industries across our vast state a competitive advantage when it comes to digital infrastructure that allows them to better manage data.
“This is the first east coast landing site for a broadband network cable outside of Sydney.
“We’re ensuring it will help Queensland businesses thrive and grow in the new economy.
Also supporting the project is QCN Fibre, the Queensland Government telecommunications company jointly owned by Powerlink Queensland and Energy Queensland.
QCN Fibre will help connect NEXTDC’s Brisbane data centres to the JGA-S submarine cable.
Minister for Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said this is another step in Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID -19.
“We know that Queenslanders can benefit economically and socially from a thriving digital economy and investments into robust digital infrastructure,” Ms Enoch said.
“The partnership between NEXTDC and QCN Fibre will continually improve telecommunications coverage, capacity and competition in regional Queensland.
“This is more important than ever, as we invest in the future and focus on creating jobs in diverse regions and new industries across our state.”
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said NEXTDC, an established, respected and well-credentialed data centre provider and operator, would bring an increased technology and innovation focus to the region.
“Data centres are becoming an essential part of the business, economic and social landscape and a core element of the digital architecture that underpins connectivity, accessibility, security and information storage,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“Leveraging off NEXTDC’s expertise in this field will give the Sunshine Coast the ability to attract new businesses which would not ordinarily be found in a regional city.
“More jobs and a wider range of enduring, high value employment opportunities, particularly in IT, will be created.”
NEXTDC Chief Executive Officer, Craig Scroggie said acquisition of SC1 and the Sunshine Coast International Broadband Network Cable Landing Station leverages several years of research into the growth of edge computing and the current and future requirements of digitally enabled regional communities.
“The edge is an emerging pillar of our digital infrastructure platform,” Mr Scroggie said.
“SC1 marks an important first step in our edge data centre network expansion plans which is supported by our national digital infrastructure platform.”
To learn more on NEXTDC and the SC1visit www.nextdc.com
