Cobham Satcom Explorer 8120 VSAT antenna. Photo Credit: Cobham

The government of South Australia’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) has selected a solution that features the Cobham Satcom Explorer 8120 VSAT antennas, which will work to enable broadband data connectivity and high quality telephony for workers and communities in remote areas. The Explorer 8120 antennas feature 1.2 meter auto-acquire, drive-away antenna system and Dynamic Pointing Correction technology to improve link uptime, were delivered this month.

In a significant drive to improve conditions for remote workers, the DPTI recently started a process of upgrading 11 mobile units to be used as accommodation for work crews during their 18 day work periods throughout remote South Australia. DPTI aims to provide high quality infrastructure for the welfare and operational capability of its teams, ensuring they are enabled to continue delivery of essential services for communities in remote South Australia. A critical aspect is providing communication facilities for both worker welfare and operational support. Facilities to improve contact with family and friends through, for example, Voice-over-IP (VoIP), email and social media for when crews are off-shift were core to the project, alongside a desire to improve communication with head office and provide secure remote access to the department’s data network.