Digital Territory Strategy

Initiative

Streamline online services for prisoners to maintain connections with families, enhance education opportunities and reduce travel costs for families.

Overview

This project will aim to enable these services to be available to prisoners 'In-Cell' decreasing prisoner movements, enhancing prisoner, staff and community safety.

Benefits

Improving online access will provide prisoners access to educational opportunities, maintain connections with families and reduce travel needs and costs for court appearances.

Initiative

Successful wi-fi trial on remote government research farm shows potential for outback businesses.

Overview

A collaboration between the NT Government and Agrinet has established widespread wi-fi coverage across the 3,100ha Douglas Daly Research Farm.

The technology, which gives farmers mobile phone coverage where previously there was none, is not reliant on a service provider and is suitable for farms with any type of internet connection.

Benefits

Widespread wi-fi coverage can mean better cattle management, increased worker safety, improved social connections, and the ability to keep pace with rapidly changing technology.

The wi-fi technology from the trial is designed to be installed and maintained by farmers, removing the need for telecommunications experts to travel and work on-site.

Initiative

Mobile phone services will be installed at the major attractions in Kakadu National Park under a partnership between the NT and Australian governments.

The new services will help boost tourism and enhance safety for visitors to the park and local residents.

Overview

Install Mobile phone services will be installed at the major attractions in Kakadu National Park with the sites to be selected based on the number of visitors, safety, technical feasibility and future park investment plans.

Benefits

The new services will promote tourism by encouraging more visitors to the park through improved connectivity and amenity and enhance safety for visitors and local residents.

Initiative

Consider trialling effective and innovative location based solutions to reduce the digital divide through improving data accessibility in very remote communities.

Overview

This program will investigate technology and service models that could provide more effective and affordable data communications services for residents in very remote communities.

Trials will be considered to assess the performance, reliability and costs of potential solutions.

Benefits

This program will build on the other remote telecommunications projects to enable more Territorians in very remote communities to access the data communications services already available to most other Australians.

Initiative

Develop a system that provides future travel information for NT Government staff to ensure coordination and awareness of the purpose and mode of travel to remote communities.

Overview

With this system government staff will for the first time be able to identify where there are cross overs in effort, reduce unnecessary travel and improve coordination and engagement with remote communities.

Benefits

Budget savings through improved co-ordination of travel and effort while also reducing unnecessary engagement with remote Aboriginal communities and the potential of linking into BushTel to display future travel to interested stakeholders including community members.

Initiative

Enhance the experience for users of NT Government websites by presenting information and services in ways that suit their needs, including a move to incorporate a focus on life events such as the birth of a child.

Overview

The changes will provide a more customer centric focus by presenting information and services based on the activity a client wants to conduct rather than as a series of separate transactions defined by government service structures.

Benefits

The updated web sites will provide Territorians with simpler more convenient ways to access to government services through standardised and streamlined online interfaces.

Initiative

Build on outcomes from the Remote Telecommunications Ideas Exchange to find sustainable solutions for better and more affordable internet access in regional and remote areas.

Overview

New concepts and innovations that emerge from the Remote Telecommunications Ideas Exchange can be further explored by the telecommunications industry for technical, commercial and customer suitability.

The Australian Government has responsibility for telecommunications and should have an active role in finding solutions for remote internet access and an interest in contributing to this initiative.

Current internet plans are set-up for and work well in urban centres where households have a modem installed and a monthly download allowance.

This model does not suit remote communities where very few houses have modems, committing to a data plan is not feasible and NBN is only available via satellite.

Benefits

Initial ideas from the Exchange can be examined for technical and economic viability by telecommunications experts. This will hopefully progress some concepts to the next stage of design and maintain a focus on finding practical solutions.

This can potentially lead to an increased take up of fixed internet services in remote areas, allowing residents to have internet access and costs similar to those enjoyed by other Australians.

Digital entrepreneurs may be encouraged to create innovative remote communications solutions.

2019 progress update

An examination of available products from telecommunication providers is underway. Discussions have commenced with NBN Co regarding the development of consumer products that are suited to use by residents in remote communities.

Initiative

Commence the next round for the NTG/Telstra remote telecommunications Co-Investment program.

Overview

The next round of the Co-Investment program will invest $24 million over four years to expand remote telecommunications services to more remote communities in the NT.

Benefits

This program will put mobile phone and broadband services into more remote communities, along major transport corridors and into key tourism destinations.

This will strengthen the foundations for all other digital initiatives and enable digital inclusion, with more Territorians able to access the communications services already available to most other Australians.

This investment will also improve traveller safety and enhance visitor experiences to grow the tourism industry.

Initiative

Install and commission an undersea fibre optic cable connecting the Tiwi Islands to the national telecommunications network.

Overview

The NT Government is providing Vocus with grant funding of $8.5 million over three years to deliver an undersea fibre optic cable connecting the Tiwi Islands to the national telecommunications network.

This initiative will provide high quality and high capacity optic fibre telecommunications backbone infrastructure to the Tiwi Islands.

Benefits

This new cable will improve the reliability and capacity of telecommunications for residents and businesses on the Tiwi Islands. This will help to limit the service disruptions in poor weather that occur now and deliver new broadband internet opportunities.

Tiwi Islands' residents and businesses will benefit from having modern communications to the same standard as other parts of Australia.

Further work can then be undertaken to improve connections on the Islands from the cable backbone to premises.

Initiative

Improve the BushTel application and make it easier for people to find the information they need about remote communities online.

Overview

BushTel is a comprehensive government web service that has long been regarded as a valuable source of data on remote NT communities.

BushTel publishes detailed community profiles, news and events along with advice on remote travel and engagement with communities to assist visitors and businesses.

The NT Government will enhance BushTel and make it easier for users to find the information they need online.

Benefits

Enhancements to BushTel will help government and non-government organisations deliver services to over 700 remote Aboriginal communities.

2019 progress update

Recent additions to the BushTel site including the display of all visiting medical services to remote communities, a community directory which provides contact details of Organisations with a shopfront as well as contact details to Community Development Officers for each location.

Further enhancements to the BushTel site are currently being assessed through a BushTel Enhancement Project which looks to continue the development of the site to ensure greater knowledge sharing and coordination of remote information.

Initiative

The Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT) in Alice Springs has created a simple mobile phone hotspot that extends mobile phone signal for up to 100 kilometres, helping people in very remote locations make calls.

Overview

The hotspots are constructed by CfAT's Aboriginal workforce in Alice Springs. They are rugged with no moving parts and use no power, making them ideal for the Territory's harsh conditions. CfAT is patenting this unique product and pursuing international markets.

Benefits

Through a grant from the NT Government CfAT has built and installed 27 hotspots across the Territory to provide vital communication links for residents and visitors.

View a video showcasing this initiative of the Digital Territory Strategy.

Initiative

Co-investing to expand telecommunications infrastructure in the NT's remote areas.

Overview

This investment will help to reduce the digital divide, improve traveller safety and enhance visitor experiences to grow the tourist industry.

Continue the NT Government's successful partnership with Telstra by making further investment in the bush through a new $28 million remote telecommunications co-investment program. The four year program will deliver much needed telecommunications infrastructure to remote locations.

Benefits

This program will put mobile phone and broadband services into more remote communities, along major transport corridors and into key tourism destinations.

This will strengthen the foundations for all other digital initiatives and enable digital inclusion, with more Territorians able to access the communications services already available to most other Australians.

Visitors to the Territory will experience improved connectivity to stay safe and in touch with their friends and family.

2019 progress update

Mobile phone services have been established under the Remote Telecommunications Co-investment program at Atitjere, Kintore and Yarralin. Installation of mobile phone services at Belyuen and Alpurrurulam is in progress and will be completed later in 2019. A service for Bulla is in the design phase to complete the program.

Initiative

Kulila! ("listen, think and understand") language app supporting Anangu people.

Overview

Senior Anangu women from cross-border communities of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) region in Central Australia embraced new technology to develop the 'Kulila!' language app. The app records and translates health and medical terms into Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra and English.

Traditional healers and interpreters use the language app like a virtual dictionary to record and translate the local Aboriginal languages and help people explain their emotions and health issues using audio, text and images.

Benefits

The app crosses the language barrier for more than 6,000 people in the remote NPY lands by helping them connect with health workers who provide mental health and suicide prevention services in the region.

Valuable community services can be delivered by partnering age-old healing knowledge with modern digital technology. The app also helps to protect the ancient languages spoken across the NPY region for future generations.

Initiative

Determine how best to collect data in remote communities so that this information can be used in future Telstra digital inclusion index reports.

Overview

Telstra publishes and periodically updates a digital inclusion index for Australia that provides a snapshot of digital progress across the country. Data for the NT's remote communities has not been included due to difficulties with data capture and reliability.

Members of the local digital industry have expressed interest in collaborating with Telstra to enable more NT data, particularly for remote communities, to be collected for future index reports.

Benefits

Bringing data for the NT's remote communities into the index will improve its coverage and provide reliable measures for the NT that can be tracked over time.

This will enhance the index, providing a better measure of digital inclusion in remote parts of Australia and the extent to which this is changing over time.

2019 progress update

The Centre for Appropriate Technology (CfAT) was contracted by Telstra to undertake Digital Inclusion Surveys in three remote NT indigenous communities; Ali Curung, Yarralin and Alpurrurulam.

The surveys were completed for each community in 2018 and reports have been provided to Telstra.

Ali Curung has had mobile phone services for some time and two communities have mobile service planned but yet to go 'live' (Yarralin and Alpurrurulam). Follow up visits are planned for Yarralin and Alpurrurulam to compare community Digital Inclusion Survey responses before and after local mobile service is provided.

Initiative

Programs to prevent cyber bullying that are developed collaboratively between the NT and Commonwealth governments and provided to all schools. Schools also participate in the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Overview

The digital world is providing a new arena for bullies to flourish, extending their reach and hiding their identities.

The NT Social and Emotional Learning curriculum provides children and youth:

• the skills to manage their online behaviour and impacts
• provide tips for avoiding bullies, reducing their influence and
• highlight the support that is available.

Benefits

This initiative will help to build the resilience of our children and reduce the opportunity for bullies.

2019 progress update

Through the delivery of both the NT Social Emotional Learning Curriculum and specific programs, such as the Dolly's Dream eSmart program, all Territory students are being supported to manage their online behaviour and its impacts.

In this reporting period, 50 NT Government schools participated in Dolly's Dream Connect workshops, bringing together teachers, students, parents and communities to improve cyber safety and tackle cyberbullying.

Initiative

Remote Telecommunications Ideas Exchange.

Overview

The first Remote Telecommunications Ideas Exchange held in 2018 marked a key first step to overcoming telecommunications challenges in the Territory.

The Territory's small population is highly dispersed over a large land mass with difficult terrain and weather conditions. Standard commercial telecommunications solutions are often not feasible or suitable for all communities, particularly in remote areas.

The Exchange highlighted the willingness of industry, government and community to work together to stimulate thinking and spark ideas about better communications solutions that will suite people living in remote pats of the NT.

Benefits

While the benefits from this initiative may take some time to be realised, the Ideas Exchange provided an important initial point of focus from which some inspirational ideas arose that hopefully can be progressed through design and developmental stages into the future.

This pursuit of solutions will be vital to achieving the end goal of providing remote Territorians with reliable, affordable and accessible telecommunications.

Initiative

Upgrade and roll out free community wi-fi to 46 communities, increasing access to online services for remote Territorians.

Overview

The Community Internet Service project provides internet connectivity as a baseline public library service across the NT and will upgrade service speeds at 34 existing sites, taking advantage of new NBN satellite and ADSL internet plans.

This project will also implement wi-fi hotspots at 12 new remote community sites over 2018.

The program will provide free community wi-fi internet access, computer equipment, and digital skills training in remote communities.

Benefits

The Community Internet Service project will deliver reliable and sustainable internet access to identified remote communities across the Territory.

This will improve availability of digital technology in the bush and help community residents to access digital services, use social media and transact online.

The project will assist to develop digital capability in remote areas.

2019 progress update

Public access Wi-Fi hotspots have been implemented or upgraded in 46 communities. Upgrades were applied to 34 existing communities and Wi-Fi hotspots were installed in 12 new communities.

Initiative

Modernise government radio transmission infrastructure to the 400MHz spectrum, providing emergency and other frontline services with a digital radio network.

Overview

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is requiring changes in use of radio spectrum that will drive upgrades of radio infrastructure and equipment for core government services, including police, and parks and wildlife rangers.

This is a multi-year work program that is due to be completed by 2019.

Benefits

NT Government frontline services in the bush will be connected via a digital radio network to new 400MHz spectrum meeting ACMA's requirements.

Essential radio infrastructure will be upgraded and radio communications will be improved.

The project provides a digital foundation that ensures the NT Government is well positioned to maintain its radio network into the future.

2019 progress update

A 400 MHz digital radio network has been implemented across remote areas of the NT, to provide improved communications for police, emergency services and parks rangers.

Initiative

Expand remote connectivity to improve access to education and other services for remote Territory children.

Overview

The NT Department of Education has maintained a STARS satellite network for many years to assist rural and remote students to access education.

The department is working with stakeholders on solutions to improve and expand remote connectivity, including using the STARS satellite network to provide better access to education, health and other government services.

Benefits

In bush locations, particularly where there are no mobile phone or internet services, this satellite network provides vital connections for children to be educated.

Opportunities to broaden and better utilise this network will provide additional benefits to students living in remote locations.

2019 progress update

The Department of Education is working with partners to continually improve remote connectivity and completed the first phase of a trial NBN Skymuster satellite service to replace the existing STARS satellite service in 2018.

This trial was successful and findings have informed the next project phases which aim to enhance remote connectivity in distance education and for remote schools and students.

Initiative

Upgrade the Police, Fire and Emergency Services digital radio network in urban areas with modern industry standard technologies.

Overview

This initiative will upgrade the digital radio communications network used by NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services, St John Ambulance, and other NT Government and Federal agencies in urban areas to provide more reliable and secure communications for public safety and emergency services.

The upgraded network will use the P25 standard specifically developed for public safety services to support interoperability of communications equipment from different suppliers, and provide the capability for encryption and transmission of data over the network.

Benefits

Reliable and secure radio communications are essential to provide public safety and emergency services in the Territory's urban areas.

Initiative

Consider and review the evolution of supporting technologies and increased bandwidth in regional and remote areas to support improvements in the use of Telehealth and Telemedicine in the delivery of health care services.

Overview

The use of Telehealth and Telemedicine in the delivery of health care services has been maturing over many years aided by the evolution of the supporting technologies and increased bandwidth in regional and remote areas.

This initiative will advance adoption and use of these services by the Department of Health and non-government organisations providing health services in the Territory.

Benefits

Increased use of Telehealth and Telemedicine services enable patients to receive quality care closer to home, improving access to specialist healthcare for people in regional and remote areas and reducing the need to travel for specialist advice.

It provides service providers with access to peer support and enables increased clinical service productivity.

It will also aid in managing health service costs by reducing patient travel expenses.

Initiative

Advocate and collaborate with Federal and State governments to address the digital divide particularly in regional and remote communities in the NT.

Overview

The NT Government is working with federal and state ministers for digital services through the Australian Data and Digital Council to prioritise and collaborate on digital inclusion initiatives, particularly in regional and remote communities.

Initiatives include improving access to digital services and ensuring residents have the skills and knowledge to use digital services safely and effectively.

Benefits

As the service economy increasingly moves online in retail, entertainment, education and health; Government needs to ensure that all Territorians, particularly those already disadvantaged, have affordable access to the online world.

Initiative

Upgrade or install video conference services for courts in remote communities with adequate bandwidth as part of the Women's Safety Package National Partnership Agreement.

Overview

As part of the Women's Safety Package National Partnership Agreement, new or upgraded video conferencing facilities will be installed in the Yarralin and Nhulunbuy courthouses over 2019; completing a program to improve services in remote courts that have sufficient bandwidth to support these services.

Benefits

Videoconferencing for courts can reduce costs for witness and defendant transport, and make legal services more accessible for people in remote areas.

Initiative

Collaborate with the health industry to support digital innovation opportunities that improve health services and reduce costs.

Overview

Demands for health care services is outstripping available resources so it is critical that NT Health and the Industry work together to identify digital innovation opportunities that improve services and reduce costs.

This initiative will look to establishing a framework to guide the interactions between NT Health and Industry to maximise the value of the engagements.

Benefits

NT Health are informed of health care digital innovations within a clearly documented governance framework.

Initiative

Build and install six new mobile phone hotspots in regional and remote areas of the NT.

Overview

Sites for the next set of mobile phone hotspots have been identified with the Centre for Appropriate Technology who will install them in 2019-20 under a grant from the NT Government.

The new sites were selected based on the signal strength of the nearest mobile base station, likely usage and alignment with related infrastructure, such as roadside rest areas and tourist sites.

Benefits

Mobile hotspots enable mobile signal to be received over far greater distances, providing connection benefits for travellers, both locals and visitors.

Benefits include improved safety, the ability to stay in touch with family and promotion of the Territory's remote destinations.

Initiative

Design and manufacture an undersea fibre optic cable that will connect the Tiwi Islands to the national telecommunications network, strengthening digital connections to the Islands.

Overview

The NT Government is providing Vocus with grant funding of $8.5 million over three years to deliver an undersea fibre optic cable connecting the Tiwi Islands to the national telecommunications network.

Cable design and manufacturing works will be progressed over 2018-19 in preparation for installation in the following year.

This initiative will provide high quality and high capacity optic fibre telecommunications backbone infrastructure to the Tiwi Islands.

Benefits

When complete, this new cable will improve the reliability and capacity of telecommunications for residents and businesses on the Tiwi Islands. This will help to limit the service disruptions in poor weather that occur now and deliver new broadband internet opportunities.

Tiwi Islands' residents and businesses will benefit from having modern communications to the same standard as other parts of Australia. Further work can then be undertaken to improve connections on the Islands from the cable backbone to premises.

2019 progress update

Marine survey and design for the link is complete and the optic fibre cable is planned to be laid in the second half of 2019 with the works to be completed by the end of 2019.

Initiative

NTG/Telstra 2015-2018 Remote Telecommunications Co-investment program.

Overview

Mobile phone and/or broadband services are being delivered to 17 remote Territory communities as part of the 2015-2018 NTG/Telstra Remote Telecommunications Co-investment Program.

Communities connected to date are:

• Ali Curung
• Barunga
• Santa Teresa
• Timber Creek
• Titjikala
• Manyallaluk
• Minyerri
• Kaltukatjara
• Umbakumba
• Bulman and
• Weemol.

Communities in progress are:

• Yarralin
• Atitjere
• Kintore
• Mt Liebig
• Belyuen and
• Alpurrurulam.

Benefits

Telecommunications infrastructure underpins all other digital initiatives. This infrastructure investment reduces the digital divide by providing access to modern telecommunications; opening up economic and social opportunities for residents and businesses in remote Territory communities. Communications services will be comparable with those enjoyed by other Australians.

Initiative

Using digital story boards to reduce communication barriers with Aboriginal patients.

Overview

This project aims to present health information to Aboriginal people through the use of digital story boards with images, narration and text to reduce communication barriers and improve understanding of medical conditions and associated treatments.

Benefits

Reducing communication barriers using digital story boards is a key activity in enhancing the delivery of safe and effective health care services, improving patient experience and reducing emergency department presentations.

Initiative

Ingenious iVet – the virtual veterinary clinic. iVet was started by local vet Dr Sue Samuelsson to help her Arnhem Land clients. It is a world first virtual veterinary clinic, providing animal care for those unable to get to a traditional clinic.

Overview

iVet is now a tele-vet model that is being applied internationally using digital technology for online virtual animal consultations.

Benefits

iVet enables people who cannot access traditional vet services due to distance, disability or illness to get the help they need for their animals. This reduces travel costs and distress for both the animals and their owners.

Initiative

Hitnet Hub spreading news in Ngukurr.

Overview

Digital content is being developed and shared across the Ngukurr community via a Hitnet Hub installed in the Ngukurr general store.

Using multi-platform digital technologies and a community wi-fi mesh solution, the hub displays the Ngukurr News, and interactive health and social information in local languages. Digital content is created by the local community and shared via mobile access.

Benefits

The hub uses digital technology to share information locally, encourage participation and community input to important local issues.

Local Aboriginal languages are featured, kept in use and recorded for the future.

This achievement showcases how sophisticated multi-platform digital technologies and community solutions can be applied in a remote location.

Initiative

Identify future mobile phone hotspot sites to expand mobile services in rural and remote areas.

Overview

Following successful mobile hotspot programs in Central Australia and the Top End, further work will be progressed to identify suitable remote sites in the NT for future installations.

Technical investigation of mobile signal strength is required and needs to be aligned with related infrastructure (roadside rest areas, tourist sites), likely usage, costs and other priorities in remote areas to determine feasible installation options.

Benefits

Mobile hotspots enable mobile signal to be received over far greater distances, providing connection benefits for travellers, both locals and visitors.

This investigative work will look at site options and feasibility to ensure the success of any future installation program.

2019 progress update

Sites for the next set of mobile phone hotspots have been identified with the Centre for Appropriate Technology who will install them in 2019-20 under a grant agreement.

Initiative

Launch GrantsNT, a contemporary digital and mobile solution for applying for, acquitting and managing government grants.

Overview

The NT Government has a wide range of grants programs across many community and business sectors, providing around $1 billion in grants each year.

GrantsNT is a modern digital solution that is being co-designed with input from local Non Government Organisations (NGOs). The use of an online portal will make it easier for community groups to apply, receive and acquit their grants.

GrantsNT will be rolled out in stages starting in Q1 2018-19 with agencies determining the timing and sequencing of grant types coming onto the system. This is a multi-year work program that is due to complete in 2019.

Benefits

Grant application and acquittal processes will be digital and streamlined, making it much easier for NGOs, community members and businesses to receive and manage their NT Government grant funding.

Grant applicants, recipients and government will all benefit from better information that is more accessible and traceable, which will improve processes to seek and provide grants.

This project is engaging Territory enterprises, with nine local ICT professionals working to deliver the digital solution and growing local digital skills development.

2019 progress update

GrantsNT was launched in November 2018 and positions the Northern Territory as the only Australian jurisdiction with an end-to-end digital solution to manage government grants.

It is being implemented through a staged approach by agencies with roll-outs aligned with the timing of NT Government agency grant programs.

View a video showcasing this initiative of the Digital Territory Strategy.