OpenRoaming brings connectivity to remote Australian communities

An OpenRoaming deployment is set to transform lives in remote Central Australian communities and Alice Springs 'town camps'.

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has announced the launch of this initiative, which will provide free, secure Internet access through Easyweb Digital's solar-powered community Wi-Fi hubs.

This deployment will benefit hundreds of largely Indigenous residents, offering seamless switching between Easyweb networks across Central Australia.

The project combines OpenRoaming, Wi-Fi, and satellite backhaul to ensure unprecedented reliability in a region historically plagued by poor communications.

Each autonomous asset will be solar-powered and weather-proofed to withstand the harsh desert environment.

The network will deliver broadband speeds up to 300 megabits per second, prioritising essential services like Voice over Wi-Fi calls, health, education, and emergency communications.

Tiago Rodrigues, chief executive of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, explained the importance of the project.

"For these communities, Wi-Fi is as critical as water. It is a must for social and economic development that OpenRoaming projects across the globe are driving up digital inclusion," Rodrigues said.

"In the past, people in these towns could walk for a whole day to check their bank balance or access eGovernment services," Darryl Clarke, chief executive of Easyweb digital said.

The project aims to overcome longstanding challenges in providing connectivity to these remote regions, which have faced social disadvantage and low digital literacy.

OpenRoaming's user-friendly interface will allow seamless movement between Wi-Fi and cellular networks, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.

Voice over Wi-Fi is particularly crucial for communities like Haasts Bluff/Ikuntji and Nturiya, which lack cellular service.

The deployment utilises technology from Cambium Networks and Encapto, with Easyweb Digital managing the end-to-end solution.

This initiative not only brings essential connectivity but also paves the way for future digital skills development and support services in these communities.