Superloop Sees Farm Connectivity as a Growth Industry

Rather than remaining a forgotten corner of the country, communities in Western Australia’s south-west are about to see some exciting changes to their internet.

As part of the Western Australian Government’s Digital Farm Grants Program, Superloop is building 12 new Fixed Wireless towers across the Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions.

These towers will provide high-speed broadband internet service that will extend across 12,000 square kilometres, with coverage reaching over 500 farms, 3,000 local businesses, and up to 10,000 households in the area.

Fixed Wireless internet in rural and remote farming communities

The Fixed Wireless technology is set to improve internet connections for thousands of people in remote and rural farming communities, many of whom rely on outdated services and unreliable signals.

Superloop has developed similar technology in South Australia. Superloop’s South Australian Fixed Wireless service connects close to 7,000 customers to high-speed broadband, often providing internet where the NBN would not reach.

Fast internet helps farms succeed

"[Australian farmers] have always been early [technology] adopters I feel as an agricultural sector,” Kendenup grain and sheep farmer, Andrew Slade told ABC News.

Increased connectivity and internet access allows farms to engage with software and technology that gives farmers the opportunity to more effectively manage and monitor crops, livestock, rainfall and water levels, farming assets, and employees.

"There's just so much technology coming out now that's digitally enabled,” said Mr Slade, “whether it's remote-monitoring technology or real-time capture of telematics on tractors, or things as simple as being able to get in contact with staff.”

The Agtech sector is big business. Start-ups across Australia are developing innovations that can boost farming practices through automation, robotics, and improved tracking and data analysis. However, many of these technologies require an internet connection to operate or to send reports and data. Without good quality connectivity, Australian farmers are missing out on these big opportunities.

Find out more about fast, stable high-speed broadband to WA’s Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions.

The Digital Farm Grants Program is an initiative of the Western Australian Government and supported by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

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