GOLD COAST – The Gold Coast Council claims it will have an independent fibre network that runs up to 10 times faster than the NBN in place by Christmas.

It claims to be spending $5.5 million building the network which will stretch across 45km of the central Gold Coast area, much of it ducted through PVC pipes laid during construction of the city’s tram line.

It is due to go live by March next year, ahead of the opening of the Commonwealth Games in April.

The council plans to lease about 75 per cent of its capacity to Internet service providers to sell services to locals after the Games end, and claims it has the capability to service 50,000 businesses.

It still expects the NBN to eventually provide services to areas outside the central city area.