NT pays to keep islands in touch

THE Northern Territory Government will foot part of a hefty bill to lay 46km of undersea fibre-optic cables to give Tiwi Islanders reliable telecommunications.

The weather-resistant submarine cable will improve mobile and internet services on the islands.

Sydney telecommunications firm Vocus Group will build the line, with a multimillion-dollar contribution from the Territory Government.

The cable will link to Vocus’ existing Darwin to Port Hedland.

Mobile and land line phones are currently connected via a high-speed digital radio link to Darwin. Satellite broadband services are provided through the NBN.

But the Tiwi Islands experience periodic service outages due to weather or equipment failure.

Communications lines can be cut for days in the event of an outage and can require expensive repairs.

Corporate and Information Services Minister Lauren Moss said the link would open up new business and economic opportunities for Tiwi Islanders, as well as allow for improved telehealth services.

“Territorians, no matter where they live, deserve to have the same access to reliable and effective telecommunications services as other Australians.

“Access to high-quality telecommunications is critical in our remote areas for health and education, for economic development and creating local jobs, for community wellbeing, and for staying connected with family and friends.”

Ms Moss (below) will announce more details about the project – including how much it is expected to cost the Territory – at an event on the islands tomorrow.

Telecommunications infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the Federal Government.

Building telecommunications infrastructure in remote communities is expensive and often not commercially viable for telecommunications providers. The Territory Government has put $40 million into co-investment programs to get remote communities better connected.

The cable is expected to be built next year.

Once complete, it is expected improved telecommunications infrastructure will be able to be installed, bringing the standard of phone and internet services on the Tiwi Islands up to standard with other NT urban centres.