Broadband construction to begin at Surfers Paradise

Almost every business uses the internet. Whether it's for marketing, promotions, emails or even for the bulk of its trade, having a strong connection to the information superhighway is vital. For example, Roy Morgan Research data from March 2015 indicates that as many as 40 per cent of Australian shoppers buy goods online in any given month-long period.

So even though people in commercial property on the Gold Coast are likely already benefiting from strong tourist numbers, the acquisition of a strong internet connection could help you boost sales even further. With this in mind, a recent announcement from the National Broadband Network (nbn) on new areas to receive high-speed internet will be of interest to many locals.

A digital boost for commercial property on the Gold Coast

A 16 October media release from nbn co outlined a whopping 7.5 million businesses and residences that would be connected to high speed internet between now and 2018. Bill Morrow, CEO of the nbn noted that the flow-on effects for all parts of local communities would be profound.

"Access to fast broadband can provide a range of benefits for homes and businesses such as improved opportunities to work from home, better access to online education tools and more options for on-demand entertainment," he stated.

On a local scale, the following areas will receive servicing:

• Surfers Paradise (estimated 2000 buildings to be serviced)
• Broadbeach Waters (same amount again)
• Highland Park and Nerang (4000 residences)
• Gilston, Highland Park, Merrimac, Tallai, Worongary (8,200 residences)

These areas will receive combinations of hybrid fibre / coaxial (HFC, or cable internet) and fibre to the node (FTTN) connections. Broadbeach Waters, Highland Park and Nerang will receive HFC internet, while all other areas get FTTN connections. With work to be completed by 2018, there's plenty of opportunity for growth and expansion within retail leasing on the Gold Coast.

What does it mean for Gold Coast business?

To get a glimpse of how faster internet might impact us here, let's have a look a bit further north, at Noosa. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) has helped introduce super-fast internet to this region, and says it is the beginning of Noosa becoming "Silicon Beach", a digital Mecca of sorts.

It provides a short-term solution for people that don't yet have nbn access, and shows the importance of high-speed internet for people right across the country. Additionally, a CSA whitepaper on the nbn highlighted some specific ways it could improve Australian businesses:

• Give employees the ability to work remotely (good for those with an office lease on the Gold Coast)
• The ability to protect data by storing it off-site
• Better engagement with customers and stakeholders
• Improve employee compliance and efficiency by moving certain processes online

Overall, it looks like the nbn could bring some serious productivity gains to your business. Perhaps it's time to start looking at the internet capabilities of your Surfers Paradise commercial property? 

Find the right premises

With growth potential, high visitor numbers and a strong consumer base, the Gold Coast is a prime location for anyone looking at commercial property leasing or investment. The latest nbn rollout announcement gives you yet another great reason to love the local area, not to mention the promise of efficiency and potential business growth down the line.

As we move into the future, more and more processes will move online, and business need to keep pace with this. That means finding commercial property that suits their planning, and making sure their digital initiatives are sound. We might not be able to make the internet work for you here at Ray White Surfers Paradise, but we can certainly find you prime real estate to get you started.