In 2010, telecommunications provider Amcom was contracted by the Northern Territory Government to design and construct a fibre network in 17 remote Northern Territory towns in a bid to provide data carriage services to the Territory’s agencies and schools. The project spanned Yuendumu in the middle of the Tanami desert to Gapuwiyak in east Arnhem Land. [Image credit: Amcom]
The NT managed locations project presented plenty of unique challenges for Amcom, including rudimentary roads and extreme weather conditions. [Image credit: Amcom]
Construction underway at Burkuma Road, Yuendumu. The Yuendumu community is located in the Tanami Desert 300km north-west of Alice Springs. It is largely made up of the Warlpiri and Anmatyerr Aboriginal people, with a population of 817. [Image credit: Amcom]
The aims of the project were to provide a platform for improved data communications to these very remote areas as an enabler to improving government services to the towns, particularly in the area of health. [Image credit: Amcom]
The project required careful coordination between Amcom, the Northern Territory Government, vendors, subcontractors, and councils. Despite its scale and difficulty, the project was delivered on time and on budget in June 2012. [Image credit: Amcom]
An excavator digs a new telecommunications pit outside Ntaria Police Station on the first day of the project.
Laying out pipes near Ntaria Police Station. [Image credit: Amcom]
The Amcom excavator in action. [Image credit: Amcom]
Fibre optic cables. [Image credit: Amcom]
Installation of fibre optic cables. [Image credit: Amcom]
A newly constructed telecommunications pit at Lajamanu, NT. [Image credit: Amcom]
The outback terrain presented plenty of logistical challenges for Amcom. [Image credit: Amcom]
Amcom's 4WDs get into the thick of things en route to Gapuwiyak, NT. [Image credit: Amcom]
A broken down freight truck blocks the approach to the single lane crossing of the East Alligator River near Gunbalanya, NT. The only detour would involve approximately 1000 km [Image credit: Amcom]
Amcom vehicles take a break from the dusty road. [Image credit: Amcom]
A truck transports excavation equipment across the Daly River, NT. [Image credit: Amcom]
The project saw transit vehicles suffer from regular wear-and-tear. [Image credit: Amcom]
Vehicle recovery effort on the Daly River road en route to Wadeye, NT. [Image credit: Amcom]
Closing up the newly installed telecommunications pit at Ali Curung, NT. [Image credit: Amcom]
The final touches are administered to a telecommunications pit. [Image credit: Amcom]
Fibre optic cabling ready for deployment. [Image credit: Amcom]
Installation of fibre optic cables. [Image credit: Amcom]
An electrician inspects the fibre termination at Shepherdson College in Galiwinku, NT. [Image credit: Amcom]
Another completed set of works. [Image credit: Amcom]
In 2010, telecommunications provider Amcom was contracted by the Northern Territory Government to design and construct a fibre network in 17 remote Northern Territory towns in a bid to provide data carriage services to the Territory’s agencies and schools. The project spanned Yuendumu in the middle of the Tanami desert to Gapuwiyak in east Arnhem Land. [Image credit: Amcom]