Electronic Outback Project (EOP)

Like all things outback the EOP came with its unique set of challenges and requirements.

The aim of this project was to supply and maintain a Viasat satellite system network for Optus, to provide telecommunication services to outback communities in the Northern Territory.
A total of 14 sites were maintained throughout this project providing each community with:

• private telephone
• public payphone
• fax,
• Internet
• video conferencing services

Other contractual agreements included:

• fault repair
• system testing
• installation works
• storage
• adequate tracking and logging of spare equipment

As part of the project we organised the arrival of both equipment and manpower on site within 72 hours of a callout.

Achieving all of this in the outback is no mean feat. It involved:

• organising airfares
• chartered aircraft
• vehicle hire
• accommodation

Despite these additional challenges the only things that would result in delays were flooding, cyclones and thunderstorms in the wet season.

We successfully trained local people in the use of the system and ensured that staff were trained and ready to respond.

We saw the job from bushland right through to full installation and service.

It also proved to be an excellent partnership with Optus and the outback communities with whom we worked.