The network has undergone extensive testing and trials throughout the development stage and will be put to the test again before the Games commence.
"It has already been used for various Olympic test events and will be utilised at the Telstra athletic trials in mid August," a Telstra spokesperson told ZDNet Australia.
The Telstra Millennium Network comprises of enough optic fibre cable to circle the world 37 times -- about 1.5 million kilometres -- and will be used to link all Olympic venues with the International Broadcast Centre and international gateways carrying telephony, audio and mobile services from the venues.
The infrastructure includes standard telephone and mobile services, video and audio links for media use, data links for timing and scorekeeping systems, links to earth stations and satellites, and a trunked mobile radio system for organisers, security and emergency services personnel.
Maintained 24 hours a day during the 60-day period of the Olympic Games, about 1100 technicians Australia-wide will be employed to service the network.
Telstra would not disclose how much the network had cost but said the switched network infrastructure around the main Homebush Bay site will remain operational after the Games have concluded, maintaining the Olympic Park as a "venue for delivering future sporting and business events".
The remainder of the network will be redeployed wherever possible and integrated in Telstra's national network.
August 8, 2000
