Editor’s note: Vision and grabs from Minister Dib available here
NSW residents who have lost mobile and internet connectivity during natural disasters are being encouraged to share their stories, as the NSW Government launches the first of its new Community Connectivity Kits.
NSW Telco Authority is leading research to inform the delivery of better and more reliable communications for communities during emergencies.
The Community Connectivity Project is designed to better understand the challenges faced by people when connectivity is lost before, during, and after natural disasters and how it impacts access to recovery support.
Anyone who has been impacted by a natural disaster in recent years is encouraged to share their experiences by 26 May 2025 via the Have Your Say website here.
The initiative will also see the delivery of 20 portable Community Connectivity Kits, which can be rapidly deployed in a disaster to help people stay connected and access support.
The portable kits are battery-powered, equipped with satellite wi-fi, and can be set up in under 15 minutes.
The first five kits are ready for delivery and testing in disaster-prone areas in the coming months. High-risk regions such as the Northern Rivers, Central Coast, and South Coast have been identified and are being considered as pilot locations.
The connectivity kits will complement the Telco Authority’s existing fleet of broadband ‘Cells on Wheels’, which were recently deployed to evacuation centres across Northern NSW during Cyclone Alfred to help keep residents connected.
The survey can be found here: https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/community-connectivity-research-project
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:
“Cyclone Alfred reminded us of the critical role mobile and internet connectivity plays in keeping people safe and informed.
“However, the reality is telecommunication networks are often damaged or destroyed during natural disasters and this can have a devastating impact on communities.
“The Community Connectivity Project is about strengthening our response and making it easier for people to remain connected with loved ones, ensuring they have access to critical information and support.
“By listening to the lived experience of those affected, we’re building policies and solutions that will make a real difference to communities on the ground when they’re needed.”
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“The new Community Connectivity Kits can be deployed quickly across NSW, providing immediate solutions when networks fail and ensuring emergency information remains accessible.
“The ongoing research and pilot testing with the connectivity kits will help build a clear picture of how connectivity loss impacts communities, so we can strengthen telecommunications resilience and support disaster recovery more effectively and sustainably.”
Caption: Flashback to Cyclone Alfred SES briefing attended by Minister Dib and then Parliamentary Secretary now Minister Saffin.
