A new Federal Government report has outlined the connectivity and productivity boost the mining and agriculture sectors could receive from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
LEO satellites are an emerging technology that can provide faster and more reliable communications for users outside of fixed and mobile broadband coverage, particularly those in remote and rural areas. This can promote a range of economic and social benefits.
The report, developed by the Bureau of Communications, Arts, and Regional Research, will, in part, support the work of the LEOSat Working Group. This group brings together industry, regulators and the government’s First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group to guide future reforms and leverage the benefits of LEO satellites in Australia.
The report found Australia to be an attractive market for LEO satellites. The agriculture and mining sectors, which have a significant presence outside of fixed and mobile coverage footprints, are expected to see increased productivity and efficiency in their operations thanks to digital technologies supported by improved connectivity.
In addition to increasing productivity, these technological innovations will provide social and health benefits, including improved accessibility to emergency and safety services and reduced consumption of scarce resources.
Federal Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, established the Working Group and Advisory Group in 2023 to support the government’s commitment to get Australians connected, including primary producers and First Nations communities.
“A reliable communications network for regional and remote Australia is the key to unlocking wider benefits for business including improving productivity, social and health benefits,” Ms Rowland said.
“Our government wants to explore all options available to us to continue to improve regional and remote communications, which could unlock new opportunities for two of the biggest industries of our economy, the agriculture and mining sectors.”
Further work is planned to better understand the specific benefits that LEO satellites could bring and their impacts on connectivity.
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