Game-changing wi-fi helping to end community’s isolation

Partnership bringing valuable connections to remote and regional South Australian communities

A Koonibba student using the NBN. Picture: Supplied

A technological initiative to help overcome the digital, social and physical isolation experienced in Aboriginal communities is expanding, thanks to its life-changing results.

Koonibba, located between Ceduna and Penong on the state’s west coast, is one of two SA Aboriginal communities and 100 nationally so far connected to a community-wide wi-fi service.

Twenty more communities across Australia will be connected by the end of this year, including several towns in the APY Lands, under an Australian Government and NBN Co partnership.

Until 2022, Koonibba’s 240 residents only had access to high-speed internet in public spaces, such as the primary school. Outside these hotspot areas, there was no coverage equal to that received in metropolitan areas or major regional centres.

Under the community-wide wi-fi program, which uses NBN’s Sky Muster satellite service, internet coverage was broadened, enabling residents to access free internet in the privacy of their own home.

Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Corey McLennan said providing free access across the community had levelled the playing field for residents, allowing every household to connect, regardless of its financial status.

“It was a gamechanger for our little community,” he said. “Like every other Australian, we wanted to be able to access the basic essential service.”

Mr McLennan said adults could conduct personal business such as banking or healthcare but the community’s children had been the biggest beneficiaries.

“They were empowered to go home and do homework, they were empowered to jump online because of the nbn connectivity,” he said. “It’s opened up a whole new world.”

It also has been timely, as they can use it to learn for the state’s emerging space industry.

Australia’s first licensed space launch facility, the Koonibba Test Range, is providing employment for residents as well as inspiring children.

“Our kids are talking about stuff they weren’t talking about before – about being scientists, engineers, astronauts,” Mr McLennan said.

NBN Co regional and remote general manager Sam Dimarco said internet usage had almost doubled after community-wide access was provided.

He said digital inclusion was a target under Closing the Gap and a local digital champion was employed to help improve digital literacy, including around challenges such as e-safety, as well as deal with technical faults.

“It’s a service which is absolutely tailored to the needs and cultural values of the community,” he said.