Scope change kills Christmas Island ICT upgrade

The Government has canned an $11.2 million upgrade of ICT infrastructure on Christmas Island due to a change in the project's scope.

Undisclosed ICT services, used by government agencies on the island, were scheduled to receive a connectivity boost using spare capacity on an Australian Defence Force satellite, according to Budget 2012 papers released last night.

The papers state the satellite was "no longer available" as the official reason for the project's cancellation. However, iTnews has learned that a change in the project's scope ultimately led to a decision not to progress with the upgrade.

The ICT upgrade project initially gained funding from the Attorney-General's Department, before remit over the island fell to the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport.

The upgrade would have provided additional internet capacity for the island's residents.

However, the project's axing means residents - and government departments - will have to wait for the launch of NBN Co's own long-term satellites in 2015 before new internet capacity is available in the region.

The Government said last night that savings from the canned ICT upgrade project would be "redirected to support other Government priorities".