Pipe Networks announced that it had successfully passed light through it’s newly laid PPC-1 Cable and therefore completed the physical stage of its Australian (Sydney) to U.S. (Guam) submarine cable project.
Beset by many obstacle such as the recent financial crisis, funding uncertainties, Industry threats along with many knockers who stated the project could not be achieved, Pipe Networks displayed commendable resilience (thanks to support from ISP’s Internode, iiNet and co). A new broadband cable pipe of PPC-1′s capacity will in effect, break the current duopoly that the likes of Optus and Telstra have through Southern Cross and Australia Japan Cable.
Industry experts are split on whether or not the PPC-1 cable prospects are enough to curve the exorbitant prices that Australian’s pay for the Broadband Usage Data. Compared to the U.S., Australians are paying around the same for their Broadband plans (if not more), however we don’t have true ‘unlimited’ usage within our Broadband contracts or additional fully fledged services such as IPTV either.
The Broadband and Telecommunication Industry is certainly an up and down ball game. On one hand we’re witnessing Pipe Networks introduce a new cable which is expected to reduce Broadband costs (or raise limits) by providing more International data, whereas on the other hand this project appears to be countered by the ACCC who have done a recent back flip by confirming that Telstra will be able to inflate their Unbundled Local Loop Services (ULLS) prices over the next three years.
Nonetheless, after further testing is completed at locations that include Papua New Guinea, Tokyo and San Jose, it’s believed that the new Pipe Networks PPC-1 Submarine Cable will become operational this coming 8th October, 2009. It’s just a pity the celebrations may not last long for the consumers who are looking forward to cheaper Broadband. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what eventuates.
