Ngalingkadji Gains Home Internet for First Time

0:00Residents in the remote indigenous community of Engolinkaji, South East of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, now have home internet access for the first time. The not-for-profit group Concordia Initiative wrote out a successful free pilot program there using satellite technology and solar power. This setup includes a central solar panel linked to Starlink service, beaming Wi-Fi to homes in public spots. Each house gets a small solar unit on the roof to keep connections running even during power outages. It's the start of Concordia's plan to wire up 100 remote communities by 2030. Locals are thrilled with the change. One resident noted it makes dealing with agencies and emergencies much easier, especially during the Kimberly's frequent floods when past outages, left them cut off from vital updates. A financial advisor in the area says reliable online access opens doors to banking and essential services in a region without bank branches.

1:01First nations people face twice the risk of digital exclusion compared to others, per recent reports. While the federal government pledged $68 million last budget for community Wi-Fi and skills hubs, those efforts mostly skip household, connections. As pilots like this one prove out, more isolated spots could soon bridge the gap, bringing telehealth, online banking, and real-time alerts to those. Who need them most? Stay informed with Sydney News today. AI-powered updates. I'm Corey with the story.