NextDC eyes QLD Govt fibre interconnects

NextDC founder Bevan Slattery has unveiled plans for the company's Brisbane data centre to provide interconnections with state and local government fibre networks.

Speaking at a function hosted by Hall and Wilcox Lawyers this week, Slattery stressed that NextDC would win on quality and carrier-neutrality, just as Pipe Networks had when up against the big telcos in the fibre market.

Slattery said that NextDC Brisbane would offer connectivity with "five or six major carriers" in addition to the government networks.

The Brisbane data centre was expected to be online within two months.

The first slab floor, meanwhile, was due to be poured at its Melbourne location this week (where the first of six planned halls has already been leased).

Purchase of a Sydney site was proceeding, he said, and a conditional offer has been made for a vacant site.

The company was also looking for suitable locations in Canberra and Auckland.

Slattery said his main challenges were to win over customers and a skilled workforce.

(Brett Winterford and Ry Crozier contributed to this story).