Roadside satellite phones for travellers installed on Great Northern Highway

28/8/96

Space age communications are now available to road users in emergency situations in parts of the Pilbara.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said new road side satellite telephones had been installed on the Great Northern Highway between Newman and Port Hedland, enhancing safety for road users travelling in that part of the region.

The telephones had been installed at rest areas, 108 kilometres west of Newman and 44 kilometres north of Auski Roadhouse and were officially commissioned today by Liberal MLC for the Mining and Pastoral Region Phil Lockyer.

"These telephones are the first of their kind in the world, combining solar and satellite technology," Mr Charlton said.

"The phones are being trialled by Main Roads Western Australia in conjunction with the State Telecommunications Management Unit and Telstra.

"If successful, the State Government will look to install similar emergency roadside satellite phones through the State's outback as a means of increasing traveller safety."

Telstra won the tender to participate in the Main Roads project early this year and has spent six months developing its Satcom-M satellite telephone system.

The two Satcom-M units were developed at a cost of $35,000 each. They comprise an eight-metre steel pole which contains solar panels, batteries, satellite antenna, satellite transceiver and user interface. They are a development of existing mobile satellite telephone technology.

The user interface is a panel on the front of the pole consisting of a speaker, microphone and push button used to dial a preset number in the event of an emergency.

"In this instance, the telephones are linked to the South Hedland Police Station and the potential for providing a valuable communications service to outback Australia as a result of this trial is enormous," Mr Lockyer said.

"The Government, Main Roads and Telstra ought to be congratulated for their efforts in improving traveller safety in remote WA.

"I am confident these phones will also have much wider application once we have the results of the 12-month Pilbara trial."

Media contact: Sally Squires 321 7333