Hotspots, connectivity delivered for remote communities in Central Australia

“Connectivity is paramount for Territorians living in remote areas, for safety, social wellbeing and work,” says Corporate and Digital Development Minister Selena Uibo.

Residents in Petyale, Ankweleyelengkwe, Welere, Urrermerne and Payeperrentye have greater mobile connectivity. Picture: Supplied.

Multiple remote communities are receiving greater mobile coverage, after five new hotspots were installed across Central Australia.

Residents across Petyale, Ankweleyelengkwe, Welere, Urrermerne and Payeperrentye were the recipients of the Northern Territory government’s $300,000 investment to install and maintain mobile hotspots in remote Homelands, with works completed by the Alice Springs-based Aboriginal technology organisation the Centre for Appropriate Technology.

Corporate and Digital Development Minister Selena Uibo said the initiative would support locals.

“Connectivity is paramount for Territorians living in remote areas, for safety, social wellbeing and work,” she said.

“This work delivers on our 2020 election commitment to install more CfAT mobile hotspots to extend mobile network coverage for remote communities.”

CfAT chief executive Peter Renehan hailed the project as a win for First Nations people.

“We are extremely proud that our Aboriginal Technology workforce team was able to successfully undertake the site assessment surveys and construct, plus carry out the installation of 5 new Mobile Telephone Hotspots in Central Australian Homelands,” he said.

“On the back of initiatives like this, CfAT is aiming to increase the number of Aboriginal people it employs in its Aboriginal Technology Workforce Team as we continue to expand the range of technology services we provide in Central Australia.”

Mr Renehan said he looked forward to “working closely” with the government and maintained connectivity would improve on-country living.

“We strongly believe that reliable and maintainable digital connectivity will significantly improve the livelihoods of Aboriginal people choosing to return and live on their country.”