Groups make a high-speed connection

High-speed, affordable broadband is becoming a reality for more small businesses in the Noosa region thanks to an initiative which is set on connecting Noosa with the rest of the world.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) Noosa and Sunshine Coast-based Our Community Broadband (OCB) joined forces last year with the new Elysium Noosa Estate to deliver a fixed wireless broadband aerial network.
CCIQ Noosa president Peter Chenoweth said a second community had jumped on board the broadband wagon and was keeping tabs on the Elysium connection.
“We now have a second community initiative, an emerging new cluster in Sunrise Beach, being led by four local champions, all businessmen who rely on the internet to conduct their businesses, proactively building commitment to secure a local aerial,” Mr Chenoweth said.
CCIQ Noosa had been investigating a fast, affordable and reliable broadband service for the local business community after NBN Co representatives told the chamber that the region might not get broadband before 2017.
Mr Chenoweth said CCIQ Noosa had not endorsed or recommended any internet alternative but recognised it as a critical, missing piece of infrastructure for local small businesses and wanted to provide members with various options.
“The availability of fast, affordable local broadband is a critical piece of enabling infrastructure which will help local small businesses increase profitability, innovate and become more agile,” Mr Chenoweth said.
“This initiative continues to rapidly progress and is way ahead of schedule.”
“We encourage the efforts of the four Sunrise Beach champions who are trying to repeat the Elysium success in Sunrise Beach.
“By collaborating, we can change and improve the way we do business in the Noosa region.”
Elysium Body Corporate secretary Geoff Brinkman said the 80 connections to date had been a “remarkable achievement” and said it would add significant value to Noosa businesses and residents.
“Generally, feedback has been very positive and the internet speeds have been well in excess of what has been experienced in previous holiday periods,” he said.
Mr Chenoweth said CCIQ Noosa was encouraged by the on-going interest in the region.
“Our Community Broadband has advised that a total of only seven aerials would be needed to complete a fully-functioning, self-sufficient, independent network in inner-Noosa,” he said.
CCIQ Noosa hoped the region could become the ‘Silicon Valley’ of the Sunshine State.