A $5.8 million program will be delivering mobile phone services to more remote Territory communities as part of a co-investment between the NT Government and Telstra.
The multi-million-dollar Remote Small Cells (RESC) program is expected to bring digital connectivity to an additional 20 remote communities within the Barkly, Big Rivers, Central Australia, East Arnhem and Top End regions for the first time.
“The Territory Labor Government understands the importance of telecommunications services in remote communities,” Minister for Corporate and Digital Development Ngaree Ah Kit said.
“As a government, we recognise the economic and social value of these services, and their ability to help close the gap of Aboriginal disadvantage.”
Minister Kit stated that the NT Government’s partnership with Telstra for the program showed that the government was getting on with the job of taking critical services to where they’re needed the most.
“Across Australia, Telstra has more than 160 satellite small cells in operation, delivering Telstra 4G mobile services to remote locations where otherwise it may not be possible,” NT Regional General Manager for Telstra Nic Danks said.
“While Telstra provides mobile connectivity to more than 96% of the NT population, its sheer size means there are large patches of the Territory where there is no coverage.”
Under the RESC program, the 20 remote communities were assessed by the NT Government and Telstra as suitable given their remote location, population, and environmental considerations.
RESC program target remote communities using small cell telecommunications infrastructure via a satellite signal with full back-up power solutions.
Each installation provides a small number of users with a mobile signal over a 1 to 1.5 kilometre radius.
This allows users to access vital telecommunications services to the bush, improving the lives of Territorians living and working in remote communities.
This latest program is just one of the NT Government’s continued investments in the bush, as previous telecommunications co-investment programs between the NT Government and Telstra have digitally connected 47 remote communities, allowing isolated Territorians access to communications services already available to most other Australians.
“Providing regional connectivity is not just a Telstra responsibility- it’s a challenge that must be shared between federal, state and local governments and with other telecommunications providers,” General Manager Danks said.
“Telstra’s ongoing partnerships and co-investments with the NT Government are delivering real value for remote NT communities, helping keep them connected and improving access to the digital economy. We look forward to delivering these new sites.”
A small cell mobile phone service was switched on recently in Top Springs as part of an ongoing remote telecommunications co-investment program with Telstra through which $28 million is being invested to improve regional telecommunications services across the Territory.
The new RESC program will be completed by the end of 2023.
Source: NT Government Media Release. Content has been edited for style and length