Solar panels to be deployed in sites as part of a solution to deliver more resilient telecommunications networks during natural disasters in rural, regional, remote and First Nations communities.
Indara’s ‘Project Protect’ equips rural communities with robust tools and technologies fostering better resilience and prosperity in historically under-served areas.
As part of the Albanese Government’s push towards stronger telco resilience in regional, rural, remote and First Nation communities, Indara Digital Infrastructure today announces it will receive Government funding to help protect eight critical telecommunications tower sites against natural disasters.
On Wednesday 1 May, Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP and Minister for Emergency Management Senator Murray Watt announced $17.4 million as part of the Albanese Government’s Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation (TDRI) program. Indara’s ‘Project Protect’ was selected as one of the funding recipients.
Indara’s CEO Cameron Evans said “Indara is honoured to take part in the TDRI program to deliver more resilient telecommunications networks during natural disasters in rural, regional, remote and First Nations communities. In a natural disaster, a phone call can be the difference between life and death. This funding will help us strengthen critical infrastructure and improve the community’s access to potentially life-saving connectivity when they need it most.”
Under the program, Indara will be deploying solar panels to sites (such as the North Turramurra site in the featured photo) as part of a solution to keep telecommunications infrastructure operating in the event of a power failure in the local area. The work is in collaboration with Optus and NBN.
Indara’s Head of Asset Operations, Dragi Prespanoski, said, “This initiative exemplifies our commitment to technological advancement for the betterment of all. We’re excited to be incorporating more solar power at our sites – both to support the resilience of our customers as well as to reduce our carbon footprint. We believe a collaborative relationship between the Government and the telecommunications industry is fundamental to providing Australians with improved connectivity.”
By keeping telecommunications services ‘on’, Indara’s ‘Project Protect’ equips rural communities with the tools and technologies necessary to overcome challenges related to power outages, remote location, and disaster management, ultimately fostering better resilience and prosperity in these historically under-served areas.
Read related article in TelcoNews Australia, ChannelLife Australia, IT Brief Australia, The Hon Michelle Rowland MP joint media release with Senator The Hon Murray Watt
