Tasmania looking for a partner to push broadband venture

The State Government is seeking a partner to develop its fibre-optic Connect Tasmania network and provide broadband service in competition with Telstra. Treasurer Michael Aird said cost- effective broadband was vital to business investment in the State and increasing competition had been a priority for Government."We can now deliver the infrastructure that will promote broadband competition and further boost business investment in the State," Mr Aird said.He said the Government had invested around $30 million to create the network and had arranged connection to Basslink's fibre-optic cable.He said that a Request for Proposals would be advertised nationally this week and selection of a partner would follow.The 420km cable, which runs alongside natural gas pipelines, has never been used and has not been touched in the past three years.