| This agreement commenced in 2004. It sets out a framework for the provision of funding and training by Optus through the Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation (BCYDC). The funding, approximately AUD 2 million over a five year period, is to be used for the purposes of training local Cape York Indigenous people to install and maintain broadband telecommunications infrastructure, and for the provision of that infrastructure itself.
The agreement is rested under the Queensland State Government's SmartNet arrangement. SmartNet is 'a procurement arrangement for the purchase of data carriage services and internet services, which is accessible by all Queensland Government Departments and Agencies' (Queensland Government). Under the SmartNet arrangement the Queensland Government relies on three service providers, being Telstra, Optus and Soul Pattinson Telecommunications. Under the arrangement Optus made a commitment to provide BCYDC with funding over 5 years to 'deliver [information and communications technology] training and employment opportunities to indigenous communities in North Queensland'. |
