Adelaide first to join global Gig City Network

Adelaide has confirmed its status as one of the most connected cities in the world, after the signing of a landmark agreement between the South Australian Government and internet applications development organisation US Ignite.

Science and Information Economy Minister Kyam Maher visited the National Press Club in Washington DC to oversee the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between South Australia and representatives from the National Science Foundation’s US Ignite initiative.

The MoU will facilitate a new era of collaboration and information sharing between the 15 US Ignite communities and Adelaide-based Gig City businesses and research and education organisations.

Science and Information Economy Minister Kyam Maher said he was proud that Adelaide has become the first city outside of the United States to become a partner in the US Ignite network.

“We will be the most connected city in the Southern Hemisphere, making Adelaide an international destination of choice for entrepreneurs, businesses, and investors from around Australia and the world.

“Internet speed can be a major hurdle for start-ups and innovative businesses, so our State Budget investment in the Adelaide Gig City Project will help to overcome this hurdle and deliver every opportunity for local companies to find global markets and create jobs.

“The MoU will see US Ignite help to establish Adelaide as part of the global “gigabit community” ecosystem, South Australia will develop and share cutting-edge applications with other US Ignite communities.

“This has the potential to deliver important advances in areas such as healthcare, education, public safety, and other priority areas using advanced internet applications that are not yet available on today’s commercial internet.”

Joe Kochan, Chief Operating Officer, US Ignite said, “solving society’s most vexing problems requires global thinking. That’s why we’re pleased to have the city of Adelaide join the Smart Gigabit Communities project as our first international collaborator.”

The US Ignite Gig City Network is a not-for-profit organisation that encourages and promotes the development of applications and services for ultra-fast broadband internet. It fosters the creation of new and novel apps that have the potential to transform areas such as health and education.

Adelaide will become Australia’s first Gig City, with the network providing affordable one gigabit connections to Adelaide’s innovation hubs at Tonsley, Technology Park, Techport, the Thebarton BioScience precinct, St Paul’s Creative Centre, the Majoran Co-working Space, Hub Adelaide, and the Stretton Centre.