Improving telecommunications around Inland Rail

Inland Rail has completed its program to deliver new mobile infrastructure in its Narrabri to North Star section in northwestern New South Wales with the activation of a new mobile base station in Crooble, sixty kilometres northeast of Moree.

The Crooble base station activation follows the previous activation of three upgraded mobile base stations in North Star, Gurley, and Croppa Creek. Additional infrastructure has also been upgraded further south in Mount Tenandra and Kickabil, as part of the Narromine to Narrabri project.

Peter Borrelli, Inland Rail Project Director Narrabri to North Star explained the project in greater detail.

“Inland Rail is thrilled to work alongside Telstra to deliver improved connectivity for the Narrabri to North Star project. Boosting community coverage is another great outcome for the region and the many local stakeholders we have worked closely with to deliver this important project,” he said.

“A key commitment of Inland Rail has always been to leave a positive legacy along the rail corridor and delivering improved mobile telecommunications is just one example of how residents and businesses will benefit.

“Regional communities in northwest New South Wales have also received an economic boost from the project, with $244 million spent with 137 local businesses, including nearly $9 million spent with First Nations businesses.  Over 2,000 people worked on the project, including 678 locals.”

The new and upgraded mobile base stations, built and managed by Telstra, enhance voice and data communications for trains and signalling equipment on the ARTC network, and have also been augmented to help mobile coverage for local homes and businesses.

Mike Marom, Regional General Manager for Telstra in NSW, said being able to access reliable mobile connectivity is increasingly becoming an important part of our lives, especially in regional areas.

“This infrastructure upgrade will help deliver improved Telstra 4G and 5G coverage between Narrabri and North Star for both train services and local communities,” he said.

“We applaud Inland Rail for undertaking this major investment as it demonstrates their support for the communities they travel through, and will leave a lasting benefit for many years to come.”

Inland Rail has already invested $3.4 million in upgrades to mobile infrastructure in the Narrabri to North Star section of the project.

The works form part of the legacy the Inland Rail project will leave for communities along the alignment to benefit from the improvements for years to come.

All the new and upgraded infrastructure is fitted with 4G as well as 5G capable antennae, meaning that local homes and businesses will have improved connectivity to Telstra services.