Satellites and solar panels will be rolled out to keep New South Wales (NSW) communities connected as bushfire season approaches.
The state government is rolling out portable equipment—hooked up to Elon Musk’s Starlink network—that will deliver back-up internet connectivity during natural disasters so communities and emergency responders can stay connected.
The technology includes trailer-mounted, solar-powered satellite internet stations that can provide wi-fi coverage to a roughly 500-metre radius.
There are four portable connectivity units on the way that can be combined to cover a larger area.
The units will also be available in Service NSW disaster-recovery centres, alongside a satellite-equipped vehicle so the agency can set up temporary offices with internet access.
The supplied connectivity will also be handy for contacting family members, applying for government support and lodging insurance claims after disaster events.
“This technology will help people contact loved ones and stay connected in times of need,” Premier Chris Minns said on Sep. 20.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the technology could be deployed rapidly.
“We already have a reliable radio communications system for first responders, but natural disasters can damage this infrastructure,” he said.
The government is investing about $5 million (US$3.4 million) in the technology, which will be delivered for summer.
The four units will be held in Sydney and deployed when and where disaster strikes.
“We start deploying as early as we can, but having them in the one central location, where they can be accessed, where they can be maintained and moved from there makes it a lot easier,” Dib said.
The mobile wi-fi transmitters will access satellite internet services.
NSW Telco Authority managing director Kylie De Courteney said several options had been tested for capacity and the units would initially use Starlink services, which connect to a network of low-orbit satellites.
“(The units) have been designed to be able to add any type of satellite service to them, so as we roll these out and test them, we can add things like (National Broadband Network) SkyMuster, if that’s appropriate, or any other future satellite services,” she said.
