Adelaide, South Australia, is rated by KPMG's 2010
Competitive Alternatives survey of world cities as the most cost-competitive city in Australia for software, web and multimedia development.
The survey also ranks Adelaide as the second most cost-competitive city in the world for software design.
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Products and servicesKey companiesTelecommunications hubIndustry groupsProducts and services
South Australian ICT businesses provide innovative products and services to customers around the globe, including:
- enterprise and industrial systems
- business intelligence and financial services
- health, education, mining, defence
- mobile and satellite telecommunications
- transport
- internet and web 2.0 services
- entertainment.
ICT activities focus on:
- software
- ICT services
- hardware - electronics
- creative industries
- telecommunications.
A strong electronics sector specialises in the design and manufacture of sophisticated defence, communication and instrumentation systems, sensors and medical devices.
South Australia’s ICT industry employs about 20,000 people and contributes about $6 billion to the State economy annually. It generates 7% of the nation's ICT equipment exports, valued at $136 million in 2008 – a 300% increase in 10 years. ICT equipment imports jumped 210% over the same period to $553 million.
South Australia's ICT industry is forecast to continue achieving strong growth rates on the back of the expansion of the State's mining and defence industries over the next five years, making it an exciting investment location.
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Key companies
Key multinationals with software development centres in Adelaide include BAE Systems, Saab Systems, EDS, Fujitsu, Expand Networks and Quantum.
Major Australian companies with development teams in Adelaide include DWS and Krome Studios. Adelaide-based M.Net Corporation works with national and global organisations to develop new mobile internet services.
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Award winners
South Australian ICT companies have a history of winning awards for innovation and fast growth.
Past winners include:
- YourAmigo - an internet search optimisation company with major clients in the US, UK and Japan
- Australian Semiconductor Technology Company - a semiconductor design company servicing global suppliers
- Neuro Vision Technology - developed unique assessment and training for people with neurological vision impairment and won the Hottest Technology Award at the ANZA Gateway to the US Summit in Silicon Valley
- Sybiz Software - an accounting software developer and distributor.
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Telecommunications hub
Adelaide is an innovative telecommunications hub. Next generation high-speed broadband internet is available throughout the city.
Adelaide was one of the first cities to offer free wireless broadband access, called Citylan, which now covers large areas of central Adelaide on a par with cities like San Francisco and Chicago.
Construction of SABRENet, an 80 km-long ultra high-speed optic cable, was completed in 2007 and now links all universities, research institutes and major hospitals.
The South Australian Government appointed SABRENet Ltd to extend its broadband network to Australia's premier naval industry precinct, Techport Australia. Broadband is also available throughout much of regional South Australia.
Adelaide is home to some of Australia's leading critical application outsourcing providers with their own secure infrastructure, including Hostworks, Internode and Adam.
Digital media companies have access to Cine.net - a super-fast broadband communication network.
The Institute for Telecommunications Research (ITR) is an internationally recognised research organisation, specialising in wireless communications, including both fixed and mobile, satellite and terrestrial applications.
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Industry groups
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More information
On this site
Grants and programs
Other websites
Programs for innovative businesses- Innovate SA