Optus Business has inked a $20 million five-year managed services deal with Townsville City Council to boost the council’s communication and information technology capabilities.
Optus Business managing director John Paitaridis says the deal will enable vast improvements to the way council does business as well as providing significant digital service channels for the community.
Paitaridis says the partnership will also deliver improvements in digital security and reliability to access the Internet.
“Optus is highly committed to creating a step change for Townsville City Council. Through significant infrastructure investment we will support Council operations with greater real time flexibility, mobility and resilience enabled through Optus’ next generation of mobile, cloud, security and managed services,” Paitaridis said.
{loadposition peter}“Smart Cities are the cities of the future. We look forward to working strategically with Townsville City Council to design and integrate connectivity, data and analytics, sensor networks and smart phone applications to transform Townsville.”
Townsville mayor Jenny Hill said the partnership was an important step in ensuring council was at the forefront of the push to use technology to provide a more efficient, cost-effective service to the community.
“The scope of the contract includes basics such as telecommunication services and software deployment for our staff but it also includes things like improved connectivity to sites including our water and wastewater treatment facilities so that these can be better managed remotely, particularly in times of extreme weather events.
“We know that ratepayers expect more and better access to council using mobile and web services. This partnership will provide us with the services needed to take full advantage of mobile solutions and cloud systems, while offering better digital services to residents.”
Townsville City Council chief executive Adele Young said the partnership would allow council to improve internal efficiencies and effectiveness through cheaper and easier communication systems.
“Our decision to partner with Optus aligns with the direction set out through the recent Nous Report to simplify operations and provide a higher performing and more productive service for our community.”