Internet upgrade for NSW public schools
A partnership between the NSW Government and Telstra will provide a $328 million internet upgrade to more than 2000 public schools across NSW, increasing speeds more than 10-fold and rolling out over 5200 km of fibre.
State Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said NSW public school students will now have the fastest internet access for a public education system in the country.
"I want to ensure every child in NSW has the opportunities to be the best they can be, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be.
"This upgrade will bypass existing network constraints, meaning all our schools will be on a high-speed connection in the next 18 months — three years ahead of schedule," she said.
Schools require large bandwidths and can sometimes run into service problems when hundreds of students and teachers are accessing the internet.
Mitchell said this upgrade would resolve the problem, delivering faster, more reliable internet access.
"The internet speed will no longer constrict teachers' lessons, and they will benefit from more reliable videoconferencing and professional development opportunities.
"This is not just about downloading websites and videos faster. The project will give students access to new immersive learning opportunities," she said.
Telstra Enterprise Group Executive Michael Ebeid said the project would deliver world-class connectivity and opportunities to NSW students.
"We know that digital inclusion, particularly for students, is a lead indicator for future employment opportunities.
"That's why we're thrilled to be working with the NSW Department of Education to ensure all students, regardless of where they live, will have access to the amazing learning opportunities that quality, high-speed connectivity brings.
"Once complete, Telstra will have rolled out more than 5200 km of fibre across every corner of the state, making this one of the largest fibre networks in the world," he said.
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