The black spot regions of Australasia are set to have infrastructure for high-speed broadband internet as the Federal Government has announced to award a $250 million contract to NextGen for building 6,000 kilometers of regional fiber broadband links in the region.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy hoped that NextGen, owned by Leighton Holdings would complete the project at a fast pace for completing it within 18 months.

He added, "It will create 1,000 direct new jobs and result in better broadband services across five states and the Northern Territory." The project would also enable customers to select most competitive service provider for DSL and mobile services.

The minister added that the broadband infrastructure project would prove a boon for regional Australia and a new era of transformation in broadband services is set to start with the commencement of the project.

(via TopNews New Zealand)