Mine Site in Remote North QLD
A five-hop, ~135km microwave network delivering 1/1Gbps fibre-like connectivity to a remote mine site north of Mount Isa, including two helicopter-access repeater sites.
A fibre-like, high-capacity microwave network for a remote mine in North Queensland, designed and delivered where building fibre was not possible.
The challenge
A telecommunications carrier specialising in direct fibre services engaged MarchNet to design a high-capacity, fibre-like solution for one of its mining clients, at a mine site approximately 130 km north of Mount Isa in remote North Queensland. The site’s isolation and terrain presented unique challenges in delivering carrier-grade connectivity capable of supporting modern mining operations.
The end-client required high-speed, highly reliable connectivity to support mining operations and the worker accommodation village. The target capacity was 1/1 Gbps, with 400/400 Mbps as a minimum, and an end-to-end availability objective of 99.9%.
- The extreme remoteness of the site, with no practical access to fibre infrastructure
- Complex terrain requiring multiple long-distance microwave links
- Several infrastructure locations accessible only by helicopter
- The need to integrate new infrastructure with existing network assets while maintaining carrier-grade performance and resilience
Design first
The client engaged MarchNet to undertake a detailed Design Study and site survey to confirm feasibility and define a technically robust solution that could be deployed, supported and maintained in practice. After onsite surveys, MarchNet confirmed that a five-hop microwave network could deliver 1/1 Gbps and the required 99.9% availability.
MarchNet has a good reputation for delivery and support of reliable communications networks in remote locations across Australia. As a specialist in microwave network design and delivery, MarchNet was a natural choice to provide a fibre-like service where building fibre was not possible. (Client feedback)
The solution: approximately 135 km of microwave
The client subsequently engaged MarchNet to deliver the end-to-end microwave solution, which involved:
- Leveraging existing MarchNet microwave infrastructure in the Cloncurry region, including an existing microwave POP with fibre backhaul and two existing repeaters
- Upgrading the fibre backhaul capacity at the POP to support the additional 1/1 Gbps
- Deploying two new microwave repeater sites, each with a 15 m mast and solar power system on a high point accessible by helicopter only
- Constructing a new 40 m tower at the mine site, terminating the microwave service into the existing on-site communications network
All new infrastructure was engineered to accommodate helicopter-only access and the harsh physical conditions of remote Queensland.
The outcome
- Confidence through design: the detailed Design Study let the client make an informed investment decision, supported by confirmed line-of-sight analysis and physical site validation
- Reduced delivery risk: by partnering with a carrier that specialises in purpose-built networks, a fit-for-purpose solution was delivered where others could not
- Future-proof design: a high-capacity, high-availability architecture supporting current and future operational requirements
With strategic planning and robust infrastructure, essential connectivity can be delivered effectively even in Australia’s most challenging environments, supporting the ongoing success of mining operations.