An ambitious US$106 million (AUD$106 million) Regional Mobile Communications Project (RMCP) is delivering the benefits of mobile broadband to “outback” Australia.
This project supports voice and data services that are similar to metropolitan cities and towns.
The RMCP initiative, being rolled out over three years, brings together Western Australia’s Department of Commerce, the Department of Regional Development and Lands and telco carrier, Telstra.
These partners are jointly finding the RMCP under moves to fast-track mobile broadband services – while tapping into 4th generation (4G) communications infrastructure.
Mobile broadband delivers substantial benefits for remote communities, according to the Department of Commerce’s General Manager for a Digital Economy, Jim Wyatt.
“Health, education and emergency services are just some areas that will benefit from mobile broadband,” he says. Additionally, emergency service provides will be able to use Telstra’s base stations when out in the field.
Field service providers include police and bush-fire management teams, as well as conservation and environmental protection staff.
The RMCP, to be fully operational by 2014, expands Telstra’s footprint across regional and remote Australia. Traditionally, these areas were outside the range of high-speed, fast-access communications.
Telstra is currently commissioning mobile towers at eleven Western Australian locations through RMCP funding.
Among its benefits, mobile broadband helps connects major mining areas across the Kimberley and Pilbara. These thriving regions power the Australian economy through the exploration, processing, and shipment of coal, gas, and petroleum products around the world.
Mobile broadband enhances coverage across Western Australia, including major highways and transport arteries. “Black spots” or areas with limited communications also benefit – while helping reduce crashes and fatalities in currently out-of-range areas.
The RMCP is providing near-continuous mobile telephone and broadband access along Western Australia’s rugged Highway One and several regional communities.
Highway One cuts an isolated pathway through the Kimberley’s vast savannah plains, providing access to its gorges and ancient reefs along the Western Australia coast.
Earlier, WA’s minister for regional development, Brendon Gryllis, said improved radio and mobile communications coverage will improve Western Australia’s public safety record.
“Fire-fighters and emergency medical services can use wireless broadband to download vital information while out in the field. They will be able to remotely access and transmit information in real-time.”
Western Australia is prone to massive bushfires. Rates of road fatalities remain high in remote areas, including roads and highways.
So far, West Australians in the Mid-West areas of Wagoe, Arrowsmith, Arrowsmith East and Walkaway are using improved mobile telephone coverage and high-speed wireless broadband.
They join Capel, Nullagine, Breton Bay, Narembeen, Bibbin Well, Peedamulla and Woottating.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Shahida Sweeney
Quelle/Source: futureGov, 03.07.2012
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