Prysmian and Telstra win Global Business Innovation Award

Prysmian Cables & Systems Australia, a manufacturer of high-technology cables and systems for energy and telecommunication systems, was announced as winner of the ‘Rural Backbone Innovation Award’ in The Global Telecoms Business Innovation Awards ‘Fixed Infrastructure Innovation’ category, held in London in June 2010. The win, shared with its major client Telstra, acknowledges the teamwork involved in meeting a challenging deadline.

In 2008, Prysmian became involved in the ‘Arnhem Land Fibre Project’ in association with Telstra and supplied approximately 800 km of high-strength (direct-bury) optic fibre cable, which was installed across Arnhem Land by Telstra’s own installation division, Network Design & Construction.

The annual awards are presented to outstanding leaders from a select pool of the most innovative projects in the industry from around the world; and the Arnhem Land Fibre Project caught the attention of the telecommunications industry worldwide.

Arnhem Land is made up of some very inhospitable terrain and is remote from any towns to supply infrastructure. It also has distinct wet and dry seasons, thus allowing a short 6- to 7-month opportunity for installation. With an installation projected to take up the entire dry season, efficiency of operations was key, as any delay would mean a 4- to 5-month standstill due to the oncoming wet season.

Arnhem Land is a national park and almost exclusively inhabited by Aboriginal communities, who consider it sacred land. The concept of installing fibre-optic cables through Arnhem Land therefore raised issues relating to both environmental and Indigenous sensitivities.

The long-standing working relationship between Prysmian and Telstra from the ground up, coupled with a commitment to complete the immense project within the given timeframe, resulted in a successful and rewarding achievement, with benefits in telecommunications gained Australia wide.