Sunday, 15 September 2002

A new fibre optic network for regional Victoria A new fibre optic network for regional Victoria - Contracts have been signed to build a new fibre optic network boosting telecommunication services and regional development across Victoria, and creating improved internet services. The Victorian Rail Track Corporation (VicTrack) has appointed Visionstream to design, install and maintain a new fibre optic network along the Regional Fast Rail corridors to Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and the Latrobe Valley. The network will upgrade signal and rail communications for fast, reliable and safe rail operations along the four corridors. The network's surplus capacity will also be marketed to deliver improved and lower cost internet services to more than 700,000 regional Victorians. The new network will promote smart industries in regional Victoria, generating high-skilled jobs over the long term. The approximate lengths of the network are: * Geelong corridor: 73km * Bendigo corridor: 162km * Latrobe corridor: 158km * Ballarat corridor: 119km The cable will terminate in VicTrack's communication facility in central Melbourne. [Source: Victorian department of Infrastructure ] 11:20:02 AM

Google back online in China. China lifts a ban on the search engine Google[cedilla] 10 days after blocking access to the portal. [BBC News | TECHNOLOGY] 10:52:08 AM