In the world of remote mining operations, connectivity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Reliable internet access enhances workforce well-being, aids in talent attraction and retention, and ensures seamless corporate communications. We spoke with Aidan Sommerville from Swift Networks and Tony Armstrong from Orion Satellite Systems to explore how their technology solutions are revolutionising the way very remote mining villages stay connected.
Bridging the Connectivity Gap in Very Remote Mining Sites
Aidan from Swift explains, “Previously, very remote mining operations, where fiber optic cabling was not a feasible option, had to make a difficult choice—allocate bandwidth to business operations or to village services,” Aidan explains. “Now, that trade-off no longer exists. Employees in very remote villages can enjoy reliable internet for both work and personal use, and accesses premium entertainment service, while maintaining connectivity with their families and accessing other essential village services.”
Recent advancements, as Tony from Orion elaborates, have further reshaped this landscape, making high-quality connectivity more affordable and efficient than ever before.
Aidan Sommerville COO Swift Networks
How Technology Is Reducing Costs and Enhancing Efficiency
One of the major advantages of Swift’s approach is its ability to reduce overall bandwidth requirements through caching. By storing high-demand premium content locally, the system minimises the need for excessive bandwidth, allowing businesses to optimise their existing resources without costly upgrades.
“Many of our clients report that once our system is deployed, their workforce feels like they’ve received an internet upgrade—even if their actual bandwidth allocation hasn’t changed,” Aidan notes. “That’s because high-consumption users are no longer monopolising available capacity. By streaming locally cached content, they free up bandwidth for other essential services.”
The Role of LEO Satellites in Connectivity Evolution
Tony from Orion highlights another crucial shift in connectivity—one enabled by the emergence of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Historically, geostationary (GEO) satellites offered limited and expensive bandwidth, restricting access primarily to critical business functions. Now, with the advent of LEO technology offering high speeds and low latency, costs have dropped dramatically.
“The transition from legacy VSAT systems to LEO has resulted in far more cost-effective solutions,” Tony explains. “While LEO terminals are slightly more expensive, the bandwidth savings alone make the investment worthwhile.”
As demand for bandwidth skyrockets, this affordability is critical. Just a decade ago, a 10-megabit link was sufficient for a remote mining camp. Today, the same clients are consuming up to 2-gigabit links just for entertainment purposes. The need for intelligent bandwidth management has never been greater, but this improved technology makes satellite connectivity a viable solution for both operational and workforce needs.
Tony Armstrong- Orion Satellite Systems
Backup Connectivity: A Business Continuity Essential
Recent fibre optic disruptions in Western Australia underscored the risks of relying solely on physical infrastructure. Businesses that had invested in satellite backup solutions, such as LEO, were able to maintain operations while others experienced significant disruptions.
“With LEO now more affordable, backup connectivity is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity,” Tony states. “In addition to ensuring business continuity, robust connectivity enhances staff retention. Employees expect seamless internet access, and connectivity issues can be a major source of dissatisfaction.”
Optimising Bandwidth: The Key to Seamless Operations
With the affordability of LEO, some may question the need for onsite caching solutions. The answer, Aidan says, lies in prioritisation and cost.
“Regardless of the available bandwidth, there is a need to ensure it is managed effectively,” he explains. “Our locally cached content removes a significant amount of demand on the internet link, freeing up bandwidth for key services—like video calls with family—and providing a much lower-cost solution for mining operators versus increasing bandwidth.”
This approach not only enhances user experience but also ensures that in times of peak demand or emergency scenarios, essential services remain fully functional while less urgent traffic is managed dynamically.
Multi-Orbit Connectivity and AI-Driven Optimisation
Tony expands on this by discussing how Orion’s connectivity management portal, Horizon AI, optimises network traffic. For customers needing it, Orion’s multi-orbit approach leverages any combination of LEO, GEO, and terrestrial connections to create a dynamic, resilient network by either bonding the connections for maximum bandwidth or using one as a backup.
“The Horizon AI platform doesn’t just allocate bandwidth—it intelligently adapts in real time,” Tony explains. “As companies integrate AI-driven systems into their operations, bandwidth demand will continue to grow. With innovations like Swift’s intelligent caching and Orion’s AI data usage forecasting and real-time traffic monitoring, businesses can keep pace without wasting budget.”
A key feature of Horizon AI is its ability to manage and display multiple connections through its dashboard interface, allowing businesses to visualise bandwidth usage per site and manage consumption efficiently. By integrating with both proprietary and third-party services, the platform enhances overall connectivity strategies.
The Future of Remote Connectivity
Flexibility is the foundation of future-proof connectivity. The combination of Swift’s low-bandwidth technology and Orion’s AI-driven optimisation ensures that mining villages are equipped for the evolving demands of modern workforces. With solutions that integrate LEO, GEO, fibre, 4G, and terrestrial links, businesses no longer need to choose between operational efficiency and workforce well-being.
“Investing in connectivity isn’t just about the internet—it’s about attracting and retaining top talent,” Aidan concludes. “With the right solutions in place, remote workforces can stay connected, engaged, and productive, no matter where they are.”
