The SmartNet Panel Arrangement is a procurement arrangement for the purchase of data carriage services and Internet services.  Government expenditure is being used as leverage to develop and deploy cost-effective broadband telecommunications services across Queensland for the benefit of both business and communities.

In December 2003, the Queensland Government announced that Telstra, Optus and Soul Pattinson Telecommunications (Soul) would be the preferred suppliers of data carriage services over the next five years.

This five-year agreement has seen Optus develop a new broadband network throughout Queensland with optical fibre networks in Cairns, Townsville and Rockhampton, and copper cable based ‘Digital Subscriber Line’ (xDSL) infrastructure in 30 sites in nominated regional towns.

Optus is also providing the Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation with $2.1M over this five year period to deliver ICT training and employment opportunities to indigenous communities in North Queensland.

Telstra is offering its ‘Government Wideband Internet Protocol’ (GWIP) and ‘Government Business Internet Protocol’ (GBIP) services throughout much of Queensland.

In late 2005, the SmartNet Panel was reviewed and the range of its services expanded to include the provision of internet carriage and ‘dark fibre’ cables.  In early 2006, the number of SmartNet service providers was increased for the remaining period of the Panel Term to include the following: AAPT, CITEC, PIPE Networks, PowerTel, Verizon Business and WebCentral.

Queensland Government Departments and Agencies may obtain more information on the SmartNet Panel Arrangement on the QGCIO GovNet site (Queensland Government only).