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PIPE Networks

Australian telecommunications company

PIPE Networks (also known as PIPE) is an Australian telecommunications company based in Brisbane, Queensland. It is a subsidiary of Vocus Group. Its primary business is establishing peering exchanges. PIPE stands for "Public Internet Peering Exchange". The company also offers services such as co-location, telehousing, and fibre networks.

PIPE listed on the then Australian Stock Exchange on 17 May 2005 as PIPE Networks Limited, with the stock code: PWK.

Australian ISPs that utilise PIPE's metropolitan fibre networks include iiNet, Internode, and iPrimus, among others.

In March 2010, shareholders accepted a takeover offer from TPG Telecom Limited.

In October 2024, Vocus Group proposed the $5.25 billion acquisition of TPG Telecom’s EGW fixed business and fibre assets, including PIPE Networks. The sale was finalised on 31 July 2025.

01Peering exchanges

PIPE currently runs six metropolitan exchange networks.

CityFirst openedNumber of sites
BrisbaneMay 20024
SydneyJanuary 20036
AdelaideJanuary 20032
MelbourneJuly 20034
HobartAugust 20032
CanberraJune 20041

02PIPE International

In January 2008, PIPE Networks announced it would be constructing a $200 million international link, known as PPC-1 (Pipe Pacific Cable), from Sydney to Guam. The link connects Madang in Papua New Guinea. It is operated by a newly formed PIPE subsidiary, PIPE International.

In April 2008, PIPE Networks entered into a joint venture with New Zealand-based Kordia to build an undersea fibre optic cable between New Zealand and Australia. This cable was to be known as PPC-2. As of 2024, this link has yet to appear.

03Takeover offer

In March 2010, shareholders voted to accept a $373 million takeover offer by TPG Telecom Ltd. for $6.30 per share (TPG Annual Report 2010, p48). The takeover was subject to approval by the Queensland Supreme Court. Shares of TPG rose 11 per cent after the news was released.

This takeover was approved by the Supreme Court of Queensland on Wednesday, 17th March 2010.

Watch videos about PIPE NetworksExplainers and documentaries on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Sources and credits

This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article PIPE Networks, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.

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