Pumped Hydro Project in South East QLD: ProConnect 4G

A dedicated private 4G LTE mobile network for a major pumped hydro project in South East Queensland, deployed where and when construction needs it across remote and challenging terrain.

Coverage where the carriers aren’t

The pumped hydro project is a major renewable energy development in South East Queensland, with construction spread across remote and challenging terrain. As work expanded into areas where public mobile coverage was limited or unavailable, reliable mobile data became increasingly important for personnel, contractors and project systems.

The project owner needed a solution that could:

• Rapidly introduce mobile connectivity into remote work areas
• Support personnel and project applications
• Operate independently of carrier rollout schedules
• Be deployed where supporting infrastructure is limited
• Integrate with the wider project communications environment
• Prove its performance through real-world field testing
• Scale to additional coverage areas

A difficult communications environment

Mountainous terrain, dense vegetation, constantly changing construction areas and limited existing carrier infrastructure meant public mobile services couldn’t provide the coverage or certainty the project required. The need wasn’t simply another internet service. It was a mobile communications platform the project could deploy where and when construction activities required it.

A dedicated mobile network for construction

MarchNet deployed its ProConnect private 4G LTE solution in the upper reservoir construction area, designed around the construction environment rather than relying on public coverage. The deployment included:

• A private 4G LTE network with dedicated ProConnect radio equipment
• IP backhaul integration with the project network
• Off-grid solar and battery power for a remote site
• Network monitoring and management
• A scalable architecture for future coverage expansion

Rapid deployment

Rather than waiting for a public carrier to justify and build permanent infrastructure, MarchNet designed coverage around the project’s actual needs, placing sites where they deliver the greatest operational benefit.

Integrated, not isolated

ProConnect uses the project data network MarchNet delivered, making mobile coverage another access layer alongside the project’s DMR Tier III two-way radio network.

Tested in the real terrain

Through 2026, MarchNet took the ProConnect deployment through commissioning and a formal Proof of Concept program. Field testing was completed in May 2026, with the network ready for its Proof of Concept demonstration.

Testing assessed the private mobile service at locations across the project environment, including the project offices and surrounding work areas, validating performance in the actual terrain where personnel would use it, not just from theoretical RF predictions.

Designed to grow with the project

A full RF design study modelled locations, antenna heights, azimuths and sector configurations for 10 additional base stations: a pathway from 79 km² to 223 km² of coverage using shorter structures in extremely hilly, forested terrain. Coverage can follow construction rather than being limited by existing public infrastructure.

The outcome: private mobile, proven in the field

• Dedicated private 4G LTE connectivity
• Coverage designed around project requirements
• Improved connectivity in remote construction areas
• Integration with existing project communications
• Independence from public carrier deployment schedules
• Real-world field validation of performance
• A scalable model for future coverage expansion

Private mobile fills the gap between Wi-Fi, fixed infrastructure and public carrier services on large infrastructure projects.