Hubs to bring fast data to remote communities

A lithium miner and global telecommunications firm are working with an Aboriginal tech startup to build satellite-connected hubs in remote communities offering reception on par with Perth.

Canning Vale-based Kali-Tech Aboriginal Corporation has developed the Kaya Technology Hub, a building kitted with communications hardware for services such as telehealth, business conferences, education, and employment.

The indigenous enterprise is working with Pilbara Minerals and Vocus to install its first hubs in the Pilbara.

Speaking at this year’s Pilbara Summit, Vocus enterprise and government chief executive Andrew Wildblood said the hubs would be solar powered, satellite connected, and offer connectivity on par with metropolitan areas.

“The Kaya Hubs can support telehealth consultations and training opportunities to help remote communities build capacity and stay well while staying on country,” he said.

“They are an ideal solution for a remote location – even where there’s no grid power.

“It is a great example of how cross-sector collaboration and partnerships could potentially support digital inclusion and bridge the digital divide.”

Mr Wildblood said discussions to have the first hub deployed in WA were in the early stages.

Pilbara Minerals chief sustainability officer Sandra McInnes said the hub would solve connectivity problems they miner itself faced being in a remote Pilbara area.

Ms McInnes said the hub followed work Pilbara Minerals did with Strelley community east of Port Hedland to build a solar and battery power plant.

“Their biggest expense was the cost of diesel so this solution has helped the remote community with the same challenges we had in moving away from diesel because we don’t have that network grid infrastructure,” she said.

“In doing that project it just started to make us think what else do they struggle with that we struggle with, and that was digital inclusion.

“We are really excited about exploring that and how we bolt it all together.”