NSW Premier Chris Minns, NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib and NSW Telco Authority’s Managing Director Kylie De Courteney announced new technologies aimed at rapidly restoring connectivity for local communities during and after natural disasters.
The game-changing four new-generation broadband Cells on Wheels (COWs), self-powered trailer-mounted units that can be quickly dispatched to disaster zones within hours, will connect to the internet via satellite and provide free public wi-fi, covering an area up to 500 metres. Multiple units can be linked to expand coverage even further, ensuring crucial internet access for communities when traditional telecommunications infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.
The announcement was made at a press conference on 20 September 2024 and the connectivity will allow residents and members within the community to contact family, apply for support, access important documents, and lodge insurance claims, even when local networks are down.
Australian-based telecommunications solutions provider, Pivotel has been awarded the contract to deliver the COWs, which are expected to be operational by late 2024. The units will offer large-area wi-fi and voice services, supplementing mobile towers impacted by floods, fires or other disasters.
This initiative is part of the Western Sydney Floods Resilience Plan and was informed by NSW Telco Authority’s Next Generation Digital Connectivity program.
In addition, NSW Telco Authority, in partnership with fibre and network solutions provider, Vocus, is trialling a satellite-equipped vehicle for Service NSW, capable of delivering fibre-like internet speeds via a wi-fi network. This vehicle allows Service NSW to establish temporary offices in remote areas, providing high-speed internet to both staff and local communities, even in regions with limited or no cellular coverage. The vehicle’s satellite connection, powered by Vocus and Starlink, enables download speeds of up to 220 megabits per second and operates independently for up to eight hours on battery and solar power.
These technologies align with the recommendations of the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry and 2020 NSW Bushfire Inquiry, bolstering disaster resilience across the state.
The initiatives represent a significant advancement in NSW’s preparedness, ensuring communities can stay safe and connected when it matters most.
