Cape York Digital Network delivers world class broadband digital communications across Cape York. It has been recognised as an outstanding remote and regional telcommunications provider. CYDN’s evolution began in 1998 when the Outback Digital Network (ODN) was funded, through the commonwealth’s Networking the Nation program, to assess the viability of establishing regional telecommunications networks across northern Australia.

CYDN is a business arm of Balkanu Cape York development Corporation, which developed a business plan and technical network design for its regional network: Cape York Digital Network (CYDN), and consulted with communities to identify needs and promote capabilities.
In 2001 the Department of Communications, Information, Technology and the Arts allocated over five million dollars to the Cape’s new network and Balkanu began negotiations with Telstra and NDC (Network Design and Construction).

By the end of 2003 CYDN Centres had been established in sixteen Cape York communities.

Responsibilities

CYDN provides information and communication technology services to Cape York from its network hub in Cairns and through its community centres located in: Aurukun, Coen, Cooktown, Hope Vale, Injinoo, Kowanyama, Laura, Lockhart River, Napranum, New Mapoon, Old Mapoon, Pormpuraaw, Umagico, Weipa, and Wujal Wujal.

A videoconferencing facility is also located at Lotus Glen to allow for link-ups between communities and incarcerated family members.