The Inland Rail project is set to connect communities both physically and, now, virtually.
This week, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton announced a working group of representatives from the Australian government, Inland Rail and Telstra who will look into the area’s communication capabilities.
They will be conducting research into local telecommunications, with the aim of improving telecommunications coverage along the Inland Rail corridor from Narrabri to North Star.
The detailed feasibility study will confirm the site-specific technical approach, schedule and cost of improving mobile coverage 10-15 kilometres either side of the Inland Rail track.
Mr Coulton says the decision to conduct this study comes from concerns over network connectivity in the regional areas along the rail line.
“We’ll need more reliable mobile coverage, not only for when the line is operational, but during the construction phase too,” he said.
“Work on the Inland Rail is going to put pressure on the existing networks in areas that are already on the fringes of reliable coverage.”
Mr Coulton also acknowledges that landholders and locals residing along the rail line will reap the benefits of improvements to mobile networks.
He says the government hopes the study for the Narrabri to North Star section “will be complete in a month or two’s time”.
Area general manager for Telstra, Michael Marom, agreed and says he’s excited to be involved in the project.
“Telstra is delighted to be partnering with the government and ARTC to provide this vital communication link and, as Mark says, we hope to have this research completed by June,” he said.
“Our feasibility study will ensure that the towns and communities along the rail have access to strong, reliable connectivity, for which we will begin construction before the end of the year.”
