Worker Accommodation Camp: Diverse LEO Satellite
Delivering resilient, high-capacity internet and managed Wi-Fi to a remote worker accommodation camp supporting a major pumped hydro energy project.
+ OneWebDiverse LEO constellations bonded via SD-WAN
of MbpsAggregated throughput for peak demand
About The Project
In regional southeast Queensland, a major pumped hydro energy storage initiative is underway to support Australia’s transition to renewable energy. This long-duration storage facility will play a key role in grid stability as renewable sources grow.
During the exploratory and early works phases, hundreds of workers require on-site accommodation in remote, extremely rugged terrain with no existing terrestrial telecommunications infrastructure – no fibre, no mobile coverage, and no traditional fixed wireless options.
From diverse satellites to every room
Hover over (or tap) each layer to see what it does.
- Diverse LEO satellitesStarlink + OneWebIndependent Starlink and OneWeb Low Earth Orbit satellite services from two different constellations provide the backhaul, so no single provider or link is a point of failure.
- SD-WAN bondingAggregation & failoverAdvanced SD-WAN bonds the links together for aggregated throughput, automatic failover and intelligent traffic routing and load balancing.
- Camp controlsFiltering & fair useIndividual user credentials managed by camp administration, per-device bandwidth limiting for fair access, and robust content filtering for compliance.
- Managed Wi-FiCloud-managed access pointsStrategically placed indoor and outdoor access points, centrally managed in the cloud for seamless roaming and ongoing optimisation.
- 300+ residentsRooms, dining & outdoorsWorkers stay connected for video calls with family, streaming and browsing, with consistent speeds even during evening peaks.
- Individual rooms
- Common areas
- Dining facilities
- Outdoor spaces
The Business Challenge
The accommodation camp, built in stages to align with workforce growth, needed seamless Wi-Fi across individual rooms, common areas, dining facilities and outdoor spaces. Workers expected fast and reliable internet for personal use such as video calls with family, streaming entertainment and browsing – while complying with strict content filtering and security policies.
With the site far beyond the reach of conventional networks, satellite was the only viable backhaul option. However, a single satellite service could not reliably meet the performance demands of hundreds of concurrent users. The solution needed to be resilient, scalable, and capable of supporting both operational and worker welfare requirements.
The Business Solution
MarchNet, a leading telecommunications carrier, was engaged to design and deploy a high-performance, reliable connectivity solution for a temporary worker accommodation camp housing over 300 residents.
Diverse LEO Satellite WAN
MarchNet implemented a robust wide-area network (WAN) using multiple Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services from two different constellations – Starlink and OneWeb. Running the two networks in tandem, this diverse approach bonded several independent links through advanced SD-WAN technology, providing:
- Aggregated high throughput for peak demand
- Automatic failover for near-continuous availability
- Intelligent traffic routing and load balancing
Fully Managed Wi-Fi
Building on the resilient backbone, MarchNet deployed a fully managed Wi-Fi system:
The result was resilient internet connectivity providing consistent speeds and supporting a Wi-Fi network with hundreds of simultaneous users, even during evening peaks.
“This is a flagship renewable energy project, and as operator of the accommodation camp Sirrom recognises that good quality, robust connectivity is essential for a happy and healthy workforce. As our first partnership with MarchNet, Sirrom have been extremely impressed with MarchNet’s responsiveness and ability to deliver a high-quality, resilient internet service and Wi-Fi network to an accommodation camp located in such challenging terrain.”— Darren Camilleri, Contracts & Performance Manager, Sirrom
The Business Outcome
MarchNet’s implementation of a resilient, reliable, high-capacity internet and managed Wi-Fi network demonstrates how modern LEO technology, combined with diverse routing and professional network design, is enabling critical infrastructure projects in Australia’s most challenging environments. As renewable energy developments accelerate in regional areas, solutions like this ensure workers stay connected – boosting productivity, safety and morale.
Key benefits included:
- High Reliability: Bonding Starlink and OneWeb services minimised disruptions, delivering uptime far superior to single-provider setups.
- Improved Performance: The bonded link routinely provided aggregated speeds exceeding hundreds of Mbps, enabling smooth streaming and video calls.
- Scalability: The phased deployment accommodated camp growth without re-work and can be expanded further if the need arises.
- Improved Staff Well-being: In-room and outdoor coverage allowed staff to maintain regular contact with family and friends and access entertainment services, which positively impacted staff morale and retention.
MarchNet’s solution ensured that the camp operator could focus on supporting the workforce and the project, rather than managing IT and connectivity challenges.
