Connecting Kakadu to deliver improved mobile coverage

Published: 11 Jun 2023

Better mobile coverage is coming to key Kakadu National Park sites under the jointly funded Connecting Kakadu project from the Australian Government, Northern Territory Government and Telstra.

Connecting Kakadu is a $7.5 million upgrade to expand mobile coverage across Kakadu National Park.

Mobile connectivity in the National Park, including new coverage around Jim Jim Falls and along the highways, and improved coverage at popular campgrounds, will benefit tourists, local businesses, and residents.

Connecting Kakadu will deliver new connectivity using a mix of mobile satellite small cells and 4G macro-cells to significantly improve the mobile service coverage right across the National Park.

The mobile base station at Cooinda will also be upgraded.

More mobile sites will boost the capacity of the existing Telstra network in the park, help deliver higher data speeds and allow more calls to be made on the network at one time to support both normal network use and tourism seasons.

It will also have a significant impact on safety with the ability to contact emergency services from more areas within the park.

An assessment of sites is currently underway to determine the locations and technology mix that will bring maximum benefits to both the local community and tourists. This will include necessary land access agreements and protection of sacred sites.