Digital access and inclusion is one of the most important drivers of positive education outcomes for students. In December 2021, the Department of Education signed a $187 million 5-year agreement with Telstra Corporation to dramatically upgrade the bandwidth across our state schools network to provide greater equity and access to technology.
The contract will also see Telstra invest $109 million in upgrading over 370 exchange service areas across Queensland, benefitting businesses and communities in hundreds of regional and remote areas.
All 1,262 state schools will receive an upgrade, providing access to the latest digital technologies and tools for their classrooms to deliver a quality 21st century education to students.
The project commenced in March 2022 and will be completed in 2 phases:
Phase 1 – to be completed by the end of 2023. Average internet speed to increase to 1Mbps per student (40 times faster than the previous standard).
Phase 2 – to be completed during 2026. Average internet speed to increase to 5Mbps per student (200 times faster).
As part of this project, approximately 40 schools will be connected to fibre optic for the first time and more isolated communities will utilise newer technologies like next generation satellites to deliver faster internet where terrestrial options are less practical.
Through the exchange upgrades, entire communities will also benefit through improved access to quality, high speed connectivity – helping with everything from online business to telehealth services.