The government intends to offer access to the network in order to facilitate a more competitive telecommunications industry.
It is 420 km long and links the major cities of Burnie, Devonport, Launceston, and Hobart.
[2] The fibre was built by private company Tas21 before being purchased by the state government in 2003 for A$ 23 million.
The Tasmanian Research and Education Network (TREN) intends to use the TasGovNet and Basslink fibre as part of a network to link major educational and research organisations in Tasmania, including the University of Tasmania, TAFE Tasmania, Australian Maritime College and Australian Antarctic Division.
[4] On 21 December 2007, the Tasmanian Government announced Aurora Energy as being the preferred Strategic Alliance Partner to commercialise the government's on-island fibre network.