NBN contracts to create hundreds of jobs
- — 17 January, 2011 15:37
Three national broadband network (NBN) equipment contracts worth more than $1.6 billion will create hundreds of jobs, the company behind the project says.
NBN Co has awarded a contract worth up to $110 million over five years to Australian-owned, Victorian-based fibre optic equipment manufacturer Warren & Brown Technologies, with an initial purchase order of $50 million.
Corning, another fibre optic cabling specialist, won a contract worth up to $1.2 billion over five years, with an initial purchase order of $400 million.
The company's manufacturing site in Clayton, Melbourne, has supplied NBN Co with equipment in the past and more than half its new contract value will be made in Australia.
Corning spokesman Rainer Dittrich said an investment of about $25 million into its Clayton facility was now possible, and would create an extra 300 to 400 jobs there.
NBN Co chief executive Mike Quigley said on Monday a third contract worth $300 million over five years went to global telecommunications cabling business Prysmian.
Prysmian spokesman Llyr Roberts said the company would aim to source about 80 per cent of the contract's value in Australia, and new jobs would also be generated.
"Directly, this contract will also result in new employment in our Dee Why manufacturing facility of up to 50 jobs over the initial 5 year period," Mr Roberts said.
Prysmian, which will supply underground cabling to the NBN, has been given an initial purchase order of $150 million. Innovation Minister Kim Carr said all three companies showed a commitment to investing in local manufacturing and skills development.
Dane Lucas
Sat 02/04/2011 - 09:34
Heh Dane check this out ! Ma