Better mobile coverage is coming to key Kakadu National Park sites under the jointly funded Connecting Kakadu project from the Australian Government, Northern Territory Government and Telstra.
Connecting Kakadu is a $7.5 million upgrade to expand mobile coverage across Kakadu National Park.
Mobile connectivity in the National Park, including new coverage around Jim Jim Falls and along the highways, and improved coverage at popular campgrounds, will benefit tourists, local businesses and residents.
Connecting Kakadu will deliver new connectivity using a mix of mobile satellite small cells and 4G macro-cells to significantly improve the mobile service coverage right across the National Park.
The mobile base station at Cooinda will also be upgraded.
More mobile sites will boost the capacity of the existing Telstra network in the park, help deliver higher data speeds and allow more calls to be made on the network at one time to support both normal network use and tourism seasons.
It will also have a significant impact on safety with the ability to contact emergency services from more areas within the park.
An assessment of sites is currently underway to determine the locations and technology mix that will bring maximum benefits to both the local community and tourists. This will include necessary land access agreements and protection of sacred sites.
Quotes attributable to NT Minister for Corporate and Digital Development, Ngaree Ah Kit:
"The Connecting Kakadu project continues to deliver on the Northern Territory Government's commitment to improving connectivity right across the Northern Territory.
"Modern telecommunications are the foundation to accessing services and connecting to the world.
"Tourists and tourism businesses will experience the benefits of greater connectivity with access to visitor information, navigation and opportunities to share the highlights of a trip in the beautiful World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park."
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek
"The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to fast-track the $276 million investment into Kakadu National Park after years of delays.
"Improving mobile connectivity in Kakadu will realise a key goal outlined in the Kakadu Tourism Master Plan 2020-2030, improving mobile coverage for Kakadu's residents and the 200,000 plus tourists who visit the park each year."
Quotes attributable to Regional General Manager for Telstra in the NT, Nic Danks
"Telstra understands the challenges of providing telecommunications services in regional and rural communities - and the huge benefits it can deliver.
"Co-investment partnerships such as this help locals get better connected, enable new business opportunities and allow tourists to more easily share their experiences with family and friends.
"We look forward to working with the Northern Territory Government and the Australian Government in helping bring better connectivity to the Kakadu region for tourists, residents and the local Park Rangers."
Northern Territory Government
