The DEC of telecommunications infrastructure in WA is projected to increase from $1.4 billion in 2011 to $3.7 billion in 2031, a 171 per cent rise.
In WA, 91 per cent of premises have access to ADSL, 78 per cent have 3G mobile coverage, 41 per cent have 4G coverage, eight per cent have access to hybrid-fibre co-axial (HFC) and three per cent have access to fibre to the premises.422 Less than one per cent of premises in WA have National Broadband Network access, although this is likely to increase rapidly.
WA has a higher share of areas with poor access to quality broadband services than most other states, with a significantly higher share of premises receiving either the lowest or second lowest level of service than any of the larger states. In regional WA this poorer access impacts negatively on education services and business, creating barriers to development and difficulties in accessing services.
The Nextgen Group (Nextgen), are currently constructing a North West Cable System which will be Australia's first purpose built subsea fibre optic network for the oil and gas industry. The cable system will connect offshore oil and gas facilities in the Browse, Bonaparte and Carnarvon Basins to onshore locations, including data centres and business headquarters. Specifically the project will deliver:
■ 2,100 kilometre (km) of fibre between landing stations in Port Hedland and Darwin;
■ branching units and riser cables to the oil and gas platforms; and
■ terrestrial optical fibre connectivity to the rest of Australia from competitive points of interconnection in Port Hedland and Darwin.
The subsea cable system will be built, owned and operated by Nextgen, a national telecommunications operator with Australia's second biggest long haul optical fibre network of more than 17,000 km. The North West Cable System is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2016.
WA is also exploring the potential viability of co-investment with private industry for inland fibre optic cable systems in the Pilbara, Midwest and Goldfields.
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422. Department of Communications (2013)