THE battle for the $370 million WA data communications business intensified this week with the commissioning of Perth-based carrier Swiftel Communications.
THE battle for the $370 million WA data communications business intensified this week with the commissioning of Perth-based carrier Swiftel Communications.
It claims to be the first Internet Protocol-based, carrier grade telecommunications network.
Swiftel says its new network integrates the most advanced high capacity fibre-optic cable to be laid in Australia with state-of-the-art switching technology.
It will allow customers to deliver significantly faster and higher volumes of data, says Swiftel’s CEO Chris Gale.
Swiftel’s network offers a full suite of services, including high-speed intracity links, commercial internet bandwidth, internet access, Voice Over Internet Protocol, web hosting, disaster recovery data back-up and tele-housing.
Swiftel has signed agreements with Singapore Telecom (SingTel), Western Mining Corporation and Vianet Communications.
Negotiations to sign other telecommunications services are continuing with corporate and government agencies in WA.
“Swiftel is aiming to exploit a significant and rapidly growing niche in the WA data communications market,” Mr Gale said.
“The data communications market in WA is estimated to be approximately $370 million. Swiftel aims to capitalise on this market by servicing the wholesale and retail markets for corporate, government and high-end commercial customers.”
Under its agreement with SingTel, Swiftel also offers access into Asia and international communications networks at very competitive rates due to SingTel’s extensive international submarine and satellite links.
SingTel’s network provides access to 19 points of presence in 14 countries, covering international markets such as South East Asia, China, Taiwan, Europe and the United States.
Mr Gale said Swiftel chose two key strategic vendors, Lucent Technologies and Cisco Systems, to provide a highly advanced facility and IP network.
In addition, Solution6 AlphaWest was providing all of Swiftel’s networking management and services for its Perth CBD fibre optic network.
“IP-based networks provide the technical ability to deliver new and exciting services to the WA community,” Mr Gale said.
“For Swiftel, the combined resources and technology of Lucent, Cisco and Solution6 AlphaWest has given us a positive market impact during our start-up phase and enables us to begin increasing revenue from day one of our commissioning.”
Swiftel has installed a 96-core fibre optic cable within the immediate Perth CBD, linking most of Perth’s major buildings.
Future rollouts are planned for West Perth and East Perth.
