The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and Telstra have finalised an $8.26 million agreement to commence works on the first stage of the Torres Strait network infrastructure upgrade project.
The project is the first phase of a long-term commitment by the TSRA, Telstra, the Federal Government’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR), Torres Strait Island Regional Council and the Queensland State Government, to expanding high-speed fixed and mobile communications infrastructure to the Torres Strait.
Phase one of the project will deliver multiple benefits for people living in the Torres Strait region, including massively improved mobile voice and data coverage for residents and communities, and increased network bandwidth capacity for businesses.
The TSRA Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM, said both the TSRA and Telstra had been working together for some time to make the network infrastructure upgrade a reality.
“Many people don’t realise the effect slow or non-existent mobile and Internet services can have on a community,” Mr Stephen said.
“Access to fast and reliable internet and mobile phones can determine the educational outcome of a student, or even be the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.
“This project is the first critical step to bringing services to the Torres Strait that most of the country already rely on to perform many daily tasks, along with the added benefit of enhanced bio-security, agriculture, and marine safety and border protection measures.”
Over the next 12 months, Telstra will conduct work to provide the platform for 4G technology to a number of sites and deliver an increased network backhaul capacity for the region.
Presently the communities that have the Telstra mobile service (Saibai, Badu, Moa-St Pauls, Iama, Masig and Mer) have only limited coverage.
The aim is to not only upgrade this, but also provide services for the remaining communities of Boigu, Dauan, Mabuyag, Kubin, Warraber, Poruma, Erub and Ugar who do not have any mobile services.
“We’re proud to be bringing our expertise to this project and extending our world class networks and services to communities in the Torres Strait,” Group Managing Director, Telstra Business, Paul Tyler said.
“In partnership with TSRA, this project will help build important foundations for connecting people and improving health, education and business opportunities for the region.
“It’s another example of Telstra’s ongoing investment and commitment to the people of rural and regional Australia.”