Telstra has launched the Perth–Sydney route of its Aura Network, describing it as the longest segment in the network and a new high-capacity fibre connection intended to link Western Australia with the eastern states and international markets.
According to the company, the route connects major cities, data centres, cloud regions and international gateways, and is aimed at increasing capacity and resilience as demand grows from AI, cloud and other data-intensive technologies.
The announcement was made at an event in Perth attended by Steven Worrall, CEO of Telstra Digital Infrastructure, alongside Patrick Gorman, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Member for Perth.
Telstra also pointed to newly released research by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Telstra, which estimates Western Australia’s digital economy could grow from $16.8 billion in FY25 to approximately $89.1 billion by FY40 under an accelerated digital adoption scenario.
The report identifies high-capacity connectivity as an enabler for growth in sectors including mining, defence, and professional and technical services, and positions Western Australia as a connection point between Australia and international markets, Telstra said.
Oxford Economics’ modelling, cited by Telstra, also estimates Aura Network routes between Perth–Sydney and Perth–Adelaide could support approximately $3.7 billion in Western Australian Gross State Product and around 10,500 jobs by FY40. The research suggests that if a potential Darwin–Perth route proceeds, the estimated impact could rise to approximately $6.4 billion in GSP and around 18,500 jobs.
In a statement included in Telstra’s media material, Worrall said: “Western Australia has been at the forefront of transforming industries through technology, from world-leading remote operations centres to increasingly automated mining and industrial operations.”
He added: “Now, with access to the Aura Network, these organisations can build on that momentum, improving connectivity with customers and partners across Australia, unlocking more growth, innovation and investment in WA.”
Gorman said: “Connectivity is not a privilege, it is a necessity. Telstra’s Aura Network is the next step in keeping Western Australia connected to our nation and the world. More connections mean bigger opportunities for WA businesses, workers and families.”
Telstra said the Aura Network is being built with two separate fibre pathways: an express route for traffic and another designed with “on” and “off” ramps intended to support connectivity to regional Australia. It said organisations can purchase dedicated access to parts of the network, scale capacity, or use managed services.
Telstra said 9,000km has been built of a planned 14,000km, with active routes across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. The company said the network is designed to provide up to 35 times more fibre capacity per path and greater resilience than conventional fibre routes.
Telstra said organisations including Microsoft and Google have secured capacity on the Aura Network.
