Australian Internet Visionary Turns Attention to Asia to Help Organisations Connect to the Cloud
Megaport, an exciting new entrant into Asia Pacific’s telecommunications market, today announced the launch of its network interconnection services in Singapore, as part of its rapid expansion plans throughout Asia Pacific. Megaport has been granted a Facilities-Based Operator (FBO) Licence by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, which will allow Megaport to build and operate telecommunications infrastructure in the Singapore market.
The initial launch in Singapore will include the completion of its 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) enabled network-as-a-service platform, connecting organisations and cloud computing providers between major data centres in Singapore. Subsequent network development phases will see Megaport undertake the substantial rollout of a large capacity fibre optic cable network. This will support Megaport’s ever expanding managed network and also provide other carriers and enterprise clients with access to cost-effective dark fibre services. While the initial investment is SG$20 million, subsequent phases will see between SG$40 and SG$50 million invested in Singapore over the next three years.
Founded in Australia in July last year by Australian Internet visionary Bevan Slattery, the innovative Megaport platform already connects over 100 enterprise and carrier clients, such as Amazon Web Services and M2 Telecommunications, throughout 18 data centres in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Slattery’s track record and reputation with large infrastructure success for over a decade in Australia bodes well for the innovation of data services in Asia. Co-founding one of Australia’s largest independent Internet Exchange and dark fibre providers PIPE Networks Limited in 2002, he grew its network to over 1500km of dark fibre across five cities, connecting over 80 data centres, 250 Telstra exchanges and over 1000 buildings. His subsequent venture NEXTDC Limited, built Australia’s largest network of independent data centres with facilities in five Australian cities, making NEXTDC Australia’s largest data centre provider in terms of geography and IT power capability.
“I am delighted that Megaport has secured its FBO licence from the IDA as it represents a key milestone towards our vision to become the leading provider of network interconnection services in Asia. Infrastructure-as-a-service has changed the way organisations use and manage information technology assets. Telecommunications services have to date resisted this change, attempting to match traditional pricing and long-term contracting models to the on-demand pay-for-what-you-use nature of cloud services," said Bevan Slattery, Chief Executive Officer of Megaport.
“Megaport addresses this mismatch with its innovative and highly competitive product suite. It now will offer rapidly deployable connectivity options to major cloud and managed service providers that can be ordered and configured online - and purchased only for the duration they are required, whether it be months, weeks or even days and at a fraction of the price.”
Slattery concluded: “Megaport enables your network to be complimentary to your cloud, not surplus to it.”
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Note: Photo available on request
About Megaport
Founded in Australia in July 2013 by industry visionary Bevan Slattery, Megaport is an exciting new entrant into Asia Pacific’s telecommunications market, aiming to become a leading provider of network interconnection services across the region. With over 100 connected cloud providers, enterprises and network service providers in Australia, Megaport improves connectivity by providing scalable and flexible connectivity options in an on-demand environment. For more information visit: www.megaport.com
About Bevan Slattery
Bevan Slattery comes from a background in building successful Australian information technology and telecommunications companies. He co-founded and successfully built PIPE Networks Limited in 2002, a company that grew to become Australia’s largest Internet Exchange and Australia’s third largest metropolitan fibre network provider, resulting in the sale of the organisation to TPG Telecom in May 2010 in a transaction worth AU$373 million. His last venture NEXTDC Limited, is Australia’s largest independent data centre provider in terms of geography and IT power capability and has a market capitalisation of nearly AU$450 million.
Mr Slattery has been recognised with various industry awards including: ACOMM Australian Telecommunications Ambassador of the Year Award (2009); Australian Telecommunications User Group (ATUG) Charles Todd Medal Winner in March 2010 for his “contribution to the Australian Telecommunications marketplace, including the construction of the $200 million PPC-1 submarine cable system connecting Sydney to Guam”; Queensland Pearcey Entrepreneur Award (2011); and National Benson Entrepreneur Award (2012).