Trial bridging digital divide for outback bus passengers

Passengers on the Dubbo to Broken Hill NSW TrainLink coach service can now stay connected thanks to a trial of free satellite-based Wi-Fi and technology to boost mobile phone signals.

Multiple cellular repeaters have been installed on board the coach that makes the daily return journey through the outback. The repeaters will boost mobile signal in areas of low coverage by retransmitting mobile signals for Telstra, Optus and Vodafone customers.

In a further boost, free Wi-Fi is being provided in non-coverage areas through the use of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in-motion satellite network which allows customers free access to up to 600MB of data.

The trial will last just over a month and is the result of collaboration between Transport for NSW, NSW TrainLink and the NSW Telco Authority.

NSW TrainLink will use the trial as proof of concept to see how passengers are using the technologies and whether it might be rolled out on more services across the regional coach network.

The return coach services between Dubbo and Broken Hill are provided by Bus Biz. Stops along the way include Narromine, Trangie, Nevertire, Nyngan, Cobar and Wilcannia.

Read the full media release here (PDF, 99.46 KB).