NBN Co prepares for disaster season

NBN Co will deploy $6 million worth of portable emergency telecommunications infrastructure across Australia in preparation for this year’s disaster season.

The company will deploy 41 Hybrid Power Cubes capable of providing sustained backup power to fixed wireless sites using a combination of solar, battery and diesel generation.

In addition, NBN Co will deploy wireless mast trailers capable of standing in for small towers to support the fixed wireless network, as well as trailers that can support FTTN, fixed wireless, HFC and even FTTP connectivity in disaster-struck areas.

NBN Co Chief Development Officer for Regional and Remote Gavin Williams said the infrastructure will be deployed in various combinations in every state and territory apart from the ACT.

“The new Power Cubes and portable satellite kits will enhance our capabilities when it comes to reconnecting communities during these events,” he said.

The portable infrastructure has been partly funded by the federal government’s Strengthening Telecommunication against Natural Disasters package, which has also been used to help fund the NBN Disaster Satellite Service.

Up to 2000 satellite dishes are being deployed to emergency management sites and evacuation centres as part of the service. NBN Co also has a fleet of Road Muster Trucks and portable satellite kits to provide deployable satellite connectivity in areas where it is needed.

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