A new Brisbane-based satellite telco has launched in Australia focusing on remote and regional areas, targeting the mining and resources companies operating in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
A new Brisbane-based satellite telco has launched in Australia focusing on remote and regional areas, targeting the mining and resources companies operating in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.
Indigo Telecom Australia says its multi-billion dollar hybrid communications network covers 100 per cent of Australias landmass and out to sea.
Chief executive officer David Ruddiman said the Australian company aim to tap into a market - or 72 per cent of the country - without access to 3G mobile networks.
"At present only 28 per cent of the Australian landmass has 3G mobile reception which has resulted in almost 5.5 million square kilometres of the country and more than 617,000 people working in regional, remote and very remote Australia not having access to reliable terrestrial mobile network coverage," Mr Ruddiman said.
"No matter if you are an executive in Perth requiring live information from a mine site, a doctor in the Kimberley talking over the internet to a surgeon in the city, a tourist travelling near Margaret River wanting to know exactly how far they are from a hotel or a ship's captain off Fremantle wanting to call home, we've got you covered."
Mr Ruddiman said that Indigo customers will not only have access to a multi-billion dollar satellite network covering the entire Asia-Pacific region but one which also extends satellite coverage to two thirds of the planet's land and ocean mass.
Full announcement below:
WESTERN AUSTRALIANS TO BE TARGETED BY NEW TELCO
Indigo delivers voice and internet to thousands of Western Australians living and working without access to adequate communications
[July 8 2010]
More than one million Australians, including thousands of Western Australians, living, working and travelling in the most remote regions of the nation can now connect to head offices, field offices and family following today‟s launch of the country‟s newest telecommunications company.
Indigo Telecom Australia is a carrier and network operator established with the singular purpose of providing competitively priced communications to businesses and industry operating in regional and remote areas.
The company's multi-billion dollar hybrid communications network covers 100% of Australia's vast landmass and out to sea, from large cities such as Perth to the remotest locations in the Pilbara.
Chief Executive Officer David Ruddiman said the Australian company offers competitive telecommunications solutions for isolated and regionally-based people, businesses and government organisations.
72 percent of Australian landmass not covered by 3G mobile networks
"At present only 28 percent of the Australian landmass has 3G mobile reception which has resulted in almost 5.5 million square kilometres of the country and more than 617,000 people working in regional, remote and very remote Australia not having access to reliable terrestrial mobile network coverage," Mr Ruddiman said.
"Adding to that, the most recent Federal Government mid-term satellite subsidy report estimated there are potentially another 400,000 Australians who live in our cities such as Perth and regularly travel for extended periods outside of standard mobile coverage.
"Indigo will target this addressable market of more than one million people without dependable terrestrial mobile coverage as well as the many thousands of boaties, tourists and outdoor adventurers who will immediately benefit from extended coverage in the harshest and most remote of environments."
Mr Ruddiman said that Indigo customers will not only have access to a multi-billion dollar satellite network covering the entire Asia-Pacific region but one which also extends satellite coverage to two thirds of the planet's land and ocean mass.
"Indigo now connects government agencies; defence forces; emergency services; outback tourism operators; trucking and transport industries; and the resources sector, in real time, all thanks to a multi-billion dollar hybrid telecommunications network," he said.
"No matter if you are an executive in Perth requiring live information from a mine site, a doctor in the Kimberley talking over the internet to a surgeon in the city, a tourist travelling near Margaret River wanting to know exactly how far they are from a hotel or a ship's captain off Fremantle wanting to call home, we've got you covered."
Introducing world's toughest mobile handset and lightweight mobile internet terminal
The lead for Indigo‟s cutting edge voice and data communications network is a suite of state-of-the-art satellite devices, spearheaded by the world's toughest satellite mobile handset and the most durable, lightweight mobile satellite IP data terminal.
"We are bringing to Australia, for the first time, the Thuraya XT, which is the world‟s toughest satellite mobile phone. It is splash resistant, dust protected and shock proof," Mr Ruddiman said.
"Complementing Indigo's satellite only mobile handset offer is the Thuraya SG. This is a dual mode mobile phone combining both satellite telephony and GSM into a single handset using a single SIM card, providing customers with seamless roaming from terrestrial GSM to satellite connectivity when no longer within standard terrestrial network coverage.
"The Thuraya IP is the world‟s most lightweight, durable data terminal, capable of supporting up to 444 kbps of streaming IP data. This means always on internet access from the remotest regions in 140 countries around the world."
Competitive pricing and Federal Government subsidy
Mr Ruddiman said Indigo's singular focus is to deliver competitively priced voice and data solutions to a sizeable market currently underserved by Australia's leading terrestrial network operators.
"Indigo voice call charges are priced below other operators and comparable to current GSM pricing," he said.
"With the choice of no contract and standard call charges of $1/minute for Indigo-to-Indigo calls, and $1.30/minute for Indigo-to-landline/GSM calls, Indigo‟s call charges offer our customers pricing that is competitive when viewed against call plans of your traditional GSM mobile network operators.
Mr Ruddiman said individuals and employers with staff working or travelling for extended periods outside of standard mobile coverage can also take advantage of the Australian Federal Government‟s Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme.
"Any Western Australian living, working or travelling outside of standard terrestrial mobile coverage areas can apply for the Federal Government‟s Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme, offering access to a subsidy of up to 85% of the retail price of a satellite handset up to a maximum of $1000," he said.
"This reduces the cost of the Thuraya XT, for instance, to a very affordable $499."
Commitment of 20 percent capex to R&D
Mr Ruddiman said the company will invest 20 percent of its annual capital expenditure on new research and development projects.
"Our research and development program is designed to provide solutions for both Australian and international export markets, including supporting bespoke trials in specialist industries such as mining, oil and gas, smartgrids, e-health, rural medicine and emergency services," he said.
In the coming six months, the company intends creating 50 new jobs and expanding its ranks to 100 within 12 months.
"With the appropriate level of Federal and State Government support, Indigo will invest heavily in Australia's greatest asset, its people," he said.
"We aim to attract and retain highly qualified technicians, engineers and operational support personnel, whose knowledge, creativity and innovation will help drive this critical part of the economy, leading to the creation of hundreds of new Australian jobs over the next several years."
