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. CDMA Mobile Network update: November 2002
By Ralph Mitchell
The CDMA mobile network in Tasmania has been gradually expanding, with a number of new areas to gain service in the foreseeable future. These include parts of the East Coast, Flinders Island, the Southern Highlands and the Northwest around Marrawah.
Some of these new service areas will have distinct benefits for commercial fishermen, although the decision to place a station near Marrawah instead of nearby Seymour Hill seems to be more (locally) political than expedient and will reduce the proposed service down the coast. Little comment about this decision has been forthcoming from Telstra.
Reports from fishermen to the TFIC office seem to indicate a constant service down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, with the service finishing at Whale Head near South East Cape.
TFIC initiative for service improvement:
Earlier this year TFIC took the initiative to attempt to gain funding and backing for the Telstra CDMA network to be extended in to Tasmania's remote Southwest. Funding was potentially available through the Federal 'Networking the Nation' scheme with this option being thoroughly explored.
Initially there was some enthusiasm from both the Premier's Department and Telstra, so a significant amount of effort was put into ensuring that the idea had the backing by as many user groups of the area as possible. The support was unanimous from all users of the Southwest region.
The original idea considered the possible installation of two base stations; one at South West Cape (National Park and World Heritage Area), the second at Low Rocky Point (Conservation Area). These seemed unlikely to progress considering the sensitivity of the areas, with other issues such as access, power source requirements, visibility etc proving to be significant stumbling blocks.
Parks and Wildlife were a little cautious, but quite open to the idea, needing details on the infrastructure needed, size of the tower, power sources etc. They suggested that Maatsuyker Island may be more suitable as there is infrastructure in place, and the CDMA signal would cover a good portion of the area needed.
The Premiers Office was helpful, with a meeting in their offices providing guidance for progression of the project. The non-profit organisation who applied for funding through the 'Networking the Nation' scheme would be required to pay a $10 000 contribution to the project, this in all likelihood being a disincentive for frivolous applications. Some of the other user groups showed an interest in contributing to the $10K.
The way forward for the project was to get the details from Telstra as to the feasibility of such a proposal and to be able to show that the need was great enough for Telstra to consider the concept. Community or public benefit/support was easily demonstrated. The Telstra Countrywide representative was enthusiastic when the idea was first discussed and was to find out the details that Telstra could supply.
The Stumbling Blocks…
Comments subsequently received from Telstra indicate that there are a number of reasons that they are not interested in extending the CDMA Network into the Southwest. These are (in no particular order of importance):
Excessive cost ($2 million was mentioned)
Structural issues to solve.
- This was of significant concern, as the place the tower would be erected would need to have suitable access. To get the structure in place on Maatsuyker Island would need specialist equipment transported via helicopter and vessels as well as temporary accommodation for the team erecting the structure.
- The tower would be exposed to very high winds and salt-water spray. This would bring a corrosion issue into the life span of the tower, probably requiring it to be cycled every five years.
- There would be a need for significant and expensive ongoing maintenance, especially as it would have to include a microwave link to the Tasmanian mainland system, cables not being an option there. Even a 5º change in the alignment of the microwave link caused by high winds would be enough to stop the base station working.
- The power source would be of concern, as the base station would require three-phase power (solar panels and windpower not being sufficient). Power is available at Maatsuyker Island, but (apparently) the generator is in the process of being downsized due to problems/costs with diesel generation and technology for more appropriate alternative power sources for existing infrastructure now being available.
- Public liability is a big issue here. Considering the significant extreme weather conditions that the base-station would be required to function in, there would be a potential for outages to occur. The prospect of repairing these problems in a timely manner would be weather dependent, with repairs sometimes taking days or even weeks during inclement weather conditions.
Because the system would be relied upon by mariners and bushwalkers etc for safety purposes (even if that was not the intent for the installation), the potential is significant that an outage would coincide with a distress call situation. Telstra could find itself defending a claim that their service was not continuous.
If the system was down during a distress call, then the supply is demonstrably not continuous and there is the potential for someone to sue for negligence. Telstra is not interested in supplying a service (that would be relied upon for safety reasons) with a high probability existing of that service being unreliable.
- A cost benefit analysis for this project would have to factor in unsustainably high maintenance costs due to the hostile environment that it would be expected to perform in. The disadvantages/costs involved do not make it an attractive proposition for Telstra.
- There is already a satellite service in place. The Iridium system that Telstra uses has 66 satellites in orbit. The latest promotional push by Telstra has been in this direction, therefore they feel that they are already supplying a service to the region that is not unreasonably expensive. They feel that this is most the appropriate technology for the region.
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'Telstra Mobile Satellite'; phone subsidies:
Telstra has launched the new 'Telstra Mobile Satellite' coverage, with the Federal Department of Communications, Information, Technology and the Arts (DCITA) offering subsidies of up to 50% or $1100 (max) to those primary producers in remote areas who meet eligibility criteria. In a way, that decision smacks of inequality as marine primary producers are not eligible for the subsidy. Both TFIC and other bodies nationally are in the process of lobbying, trying to gain subsidy eligibility for commercial fishermen.
The satellite phones retail for $995 and $1995 a piece, with a number of plans available depending on requirements. Only outgoing calls are charged for, which is a lot better than the competing system that charges for incoming calls as well.
Early in the New Year Telstra wishes to organise a demonstration event for those fishing industry members who are interested in testing the units before buying one. We will let you know when it is to happen.
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