$34M fibre optic cable layed out for indigenous Australians

The Traditional Indigenous Ceremony, held at Border Store, 40kms north east of Jabiru in Kakadu National Park, marked the completion of laying 800kms of cable from Jabiru and Nhulunbuy.

Five mainland Aboriginal communities and the township of Nhulunbuy will be connected before Christmas to the nation's fibre optic backbone, with a further four offshore communities connected in 2009.

Geoff Booth, group managing director of Telstra Country Wide, said, the fibre optic cable was bringing 21st century telecommunications technology to Arnhem Land.

"Around 8000 people in Arnhem Land will have access to high-speed broadband by the end of the year, and a further 2000 people will have access at the end of the Dry in 2009," he said.

"The opportunities from the laying of the cable for Indigenous Australians, for local businesses, for schools, for the mining community and for health care centres are significant.

"The project has been made possible through relationships between the Traditional Owners, Northern Territory Government, Northern Land Council, Rio Tinto Alcan and Telstra.”

According to Booth traditional owners along the full length of the cable route have been consulted and involved in this project every step of the way.

The Aboriginal community of Oenpelli is already connected with Maningrida, Raminging, Gapuwiyak and Yirrkala along with the township of Nhulunbuy to be connected by Christmas.

Minjilang, Warruwi, Milingimbi and Galiwinku will be connected after the Dry in 2009.