Optus has completed the first commercial deployment of a satellite-based communications system in Australia that allows people in remote areas to make mobile phone calls to anywhere in the world.
OPTUS has completed the first commercial deployment of a satellite-based communications system in Australia that allows people in remote areas to make mobile phone calls to anywhere in the world.
The telco has concluded a ground-breaking contract with Western Australian diamond miner Kimberley Diamonds that gives the company’s 350 workers at its Ellendale mine, 2000 kilometres north of Perth in the Kimberley region, all the mobile phone benefits of the city.
The system links well established GSM (global services for mobiles) technology and satellite communications for use via ordinary mobile phones at no extra cost.
Optus WA general manager Richard Thorning told WA Business News this was the first time Optus had combined these two technologies to suit a particular client requirement.
This will be the first of a number of such sites to be established by Optus around Australia in the near future.
Telstra spokesman Andrew Gaspar said his company provided GSM coverage in East Timor and out of Christmas Island.
“There is little need for Telstra to consider this [GSM/satellite] option as we have an extensive terrestrial network and satellite is not a preferred technical option,” he said.
Terrestrial networks rely on cable, copper or fibre optic connections.
Kimberley Diamonds general manager Bill Crossley told WA Business News the Optus system was required to take the company to its next growth level, as well as providing better general communications.
The company previously ran four voice lines and a datalink, but “we were just getting too big and the phones were constantly busy,” Mr Crossley said.
“It’s also been a great morale booster for the staff to be able to contact their family and friends,” he said.
Mr Thorning said that, cost aside, a system like that for Kimberley Diamonds could have been established some years ago.
“However, these associated costs have fallen dramatically in recent years to levels where it is now very cost effective for remote communities,” Mr Thorning told WA Business News.
“The social ramifications for such simple communications are enormous.
æFor the Ellendale workers, many of whom were previously out of touch with family, friends, email, the Internet and electronic banking for weeks at a time, it is a great bonus. It is also an important incentive to employment.
“Communication systems like this are particularly relevant to WA because of its sheer size and the number of remote communities – involved in mining, construction, govern-ment, agricultural, services etc – that exist. They are the answer to that vexed question about supplying cost effective communications in the bush.”
The Ellendale system utilises a dish and tower to link with satellites and two land stations at Lockridge in Perth and in Sydney. Users need to be within eight to 10km of the tower, depending on the terrain.
An extra bonus at Ellendale has been the ability to use mobiles deep in the open pit.
Optus already provides satellite transmitted education services to 400 School of the Air students unable to be reached by traditional terrestrial services.
The next step is broadband.
Optus has access to four satellites currently orbiting the earth with another, providing greater bandwidth and broadband capability, to be launched in 2006 and another the following year, further increasing the coverage.
