Media release

iiNet connects Santos Tour Down Under to the world

6 November, 2014

iiNet will deliver broadband connectivity for global media at the daily finish lines of the Santos Tour Down Under as part of its inaugural sponsorship of the iconic cycling race in 2015.

This will allow journalists at finish line media centres to file stories immediately using high-speed broadband at the conclusion of each race stage.

iiNet will also provide free Internet access for riders, administrators and journalists at both the Hilton Adelaide, official race headquarters, and Victoria Square, which is the heart of the January 17-25 event.

ASX-listed iiNet is the leading challenger in Australia's telecommunications market. iiNet provides high quality Internet services to the residents, businesses and government departments of South Australia, both directly and through its local subsidiaries, Internode and Adam Internet, which sponsored the Tour from 2011 to 2013.

Since its inception in 1999, the Santos Tour Down Under has become the biggest cycling race in the Southern Hemisphere. The week-long event brings top UCI WorldTour professional cycling teams to race on the streets of Adelaide and regional SA each January.

South Australia's Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said the advanced connectivity provided by iiNet would be a vital addition to the media coverage of the race. "The biggest issue for the media following the race is access to the Internet so they can file their race reports. In previous years some journalists and bloggers have had to wait until they get back to their offices or hotel rooms before they can file," he said.

"We trialled a 4G broadband connection during this year's Santos Tour Down Under, but it was prone to congestion.

"We have engaged iiNet for the 2015 event to work out the best way to provide the world's media with high performance Internet connections at each of the stage finish lines.

"This means at every finish line journalists will have a media room with Internet connectivity so they can file their reports immediately. This is a great development for the Santos Tour Down Under," said the Minister.

iiNet has become Premier Partner of the Santos Tour Down Under for 2015, with naming rights for the iiNet Sprint Jersey. A total of 11 iiNet Sprints will be held at seven different locations during the race.

As well as cash, iiNet is providing in-kind connectivity and technical services, including free Wi-Fi across Victoria Square; wired and wireless Internet throughout the Hilton Adelaide for event organisers, media and riders; and ADSL connections at finish lines for media. Race-day finish lines are at locations including Campbelltown, Stirling, Paracombe, Mt Barker, Willunga Hill and the Adelaide CBD.

iiNet Sponsorship Manager Alicia Phillis said iiNet had a long-term commitment to the Santos Tour Down Under and to South Australia. "We believe that providing finish line Internet connectivity for this iconic event helps to better showcase SA to the world," she said.

"iiNet is delighted to join the Tour for 2015."

About iiNet

iiNet is Australia's second largest DSL Internet Service Provider and the leading challenger in the telecommunications market.

We're committed to making it simple for all Australians to connect across both our own network and the National Broadband Network (NBN). Our vision is to lead the market with services that harness the potential of the Internet and then differentiate with award-winning customer service.

iiNet has a proud history of delivering awesome customer service, which has won us dozens of awards, including Best Large Business at the 2013 International Service Excellence Awards.

We employ more than 2,500 enthusiastic staff across three countries - 80 percent of whom are employed to directly service nearly one million customers. We maintain our own broadband network and support over 1.8 million services nationwide.

A lot has changed since iiNet was founded in a suburban garage in 1993 and the broadband landscape continues to evolve. What hasn't changed is our passion for the transformative benefits of the Internet and our commitment to helping Australians connect better.

Learn more about iiNet and its long history of being a challenger in the Australian telecommunications market.