Field Solutions Holdings Limited (ASX: FSG), Australia's leading rural, regional and remote telecommunications carrier, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a second "Building our Regions" Grant by Balonne Shire, Queensland.
Key metrics for this grant:
- Capital contribution $1M
- 10 year exclusive maintain and operate contract
- Non-NBN Broadband infrastructure build
- Revenue accretive commencing early Q4 FY19/20
"Balonne Shire conducted a rigorous tender evaluation program to select a suitable telecommunications carrier to partner to build and manage its shire wide connectivity needs", outlines Andrew Roberts, CEO FSG. "FSG has pioneered a
community-led network build strategy, ensuring FSG only builds a network where the businesses and residents are within the shire boundaries "outlines Roberts. In this way, we help the local council and business with operational efficiencies,
bringing cloud-capable symmetric services and asymmetric services for the residents, combined with commercial-grade IoT
services.
FSG developed a shire-wide plan for six councils in southern Queensland that were successful in obtaining Queensland
State Government "Building our Regions" Funding, in total up to $6m. Digital connectivity was severely lacking in all six
shires, and accordingly, the "Building our Regions" funding is being used to fund the construction and operation of this new
network jointly.
Balonne Shire will be connected to FSG's Northern NSW corridor, which has recently been extended from Weemelah NSW
to Mungindi QLD. "Our network now reaches from Narrabri Shire in NSW to the Balonne Shire in QLD. We are addressing the connectivity needs on large Agribusiness community", outlines Roberts. "FSG is ensuring these shires are futureproofing themselves in a post-NBN landscape", says Roberts.
FSG's network will deliver both residential and business internet access and associated value-added services via its Just-ISP retail services provider brand. Network planning is to commence this month with construction activities expected to begin before Christmas. "There are some large distances to cover for this project, and our experience and expertise from the recently completed Blackall-Tambo Shire connectivity project have been invaluable to the Company and a source of reassurance to the council. The importance of working with the local government, business and residents getting behind this project has been the key to success" details, Roberts. "By working together, re-using in-place council assets and planning the roll-out, we can cost-effectively and efficiently deploy our network where NBN can only provide satellite
services".
The remaining grants are expected to be finalised over the coming weeks.
About FSG
FSG provides, builds and operates "true broadband networks" specifically for rural, regional and remote Australia. FSG is a
licensed Australian telecommunications carrier, providing services via its telecommunications network (trading under the
brands 'JustISP' and "Ant Communications) and an NBNco Retail Service Provider.
FSG
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