More remote NT communities have been switched on to mobile phone and broadband services.
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Mt Liebig, Kintore and Yarralin have been connected through the mobile phone and broadband services, thanks to the NT Government/Telstra Remote Telecommunications Co-Investment Program.
This brings to 14 the number of remote Territory communities connected to mobile and/or broadband services, since the start of the Co-investment Program in 2015.
Services at Mt Liebig have been connected through a joint venture between the NTG/Telstra Co-investment Program and the Australian Government's Mobile Black Spot Program.
Mt Liebig and Kintore are both located well west of Alice Springs.
Yarralin is near the Victoria River, south of Timber Creek.
Under the Co-investment Program, a connection was provided via optic fibre cable from Papunya to Mt Liebig to allow for fixed broadband service, as well as enabling mobile phone services to be installed there under the MBSP.
This infrastructure also allowed the community of Kintore, approximately 200 kilometres further west, to receive mobile phone and fixed broadband services.
The next communities scheduled to receive services under the Co-investment Program are Atitjere, Alpurrurulam and Belyuen which are expected to be completed by mid-2019.
Budget 2018 included a further $14 million investment into the next round of Co-Investment Program, to be matched by Telstra.
This will allow connections to a number of other remote Territory communities, as well as transport corridors and tourism hotspots.
Modern telecommunications infrastructure is fundamental to overcoming disadvantage in remote Aboriginal communities as well as delivering significant economic and social benefits to residents.
Stuart MLA Scott McConnell said: “It is vital that we use all available infrastructure to get more remote Territorians connected and to help support economic development and better health and education outcomes, as well as to improve the liveability of remote communities.”
Telstra regional general manager NT, Nic Danks said “This project is a great example of collaboration between two levels of government and Telstra bringing benefits to regional NT.
“Telstra knows the important role mobile technology and the internet plays in helping people stay in contact with friends and family. The recent arrival of these services are a significant moment for this community.”
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