website updates continued, page-11

Details of NewSat’s scheduled visits to Kimberley communities:


7 August 2009 Moonlight Bay Suites Broome
9 August 2009 Derby Visitor Centre Derby
10 August 2009 Bushflight Derby
10 August 2009 Camballin Store Derby-West
11 August 2009 Noonkanbah Telecentre Yungngora
12 August 2009 Fitzroy Crossing Visitor Centre Fitzroy Crossing
12 August 2009 Yiyili - Marra Worra Worra Yiyili
14 August 2009 Halls Creek Visitor Centre Halls Creek
15 August 2009 Vaggs Liquor Store Wyndham
16 August 2009 Kunnunurra Hotel Kunnunurra
19/20 August 2009 One Arm Point Community Ardyaloon
20/21 August 2009 Lombardina Community Lombardina

The Kimberley Broadband Solutions Project was supported by the Australian Government Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, and the West Australian Government through the Department of Commerce.

Forecast Average Annual Growth Rates 2004 to 2008
Shire/Region 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Broome 14,500 15,100 15,600 16,100 16,600
Derby-West Kimberley 9,000 9,300 9,700 10,100 10,500
Halls Creek 4,400 4,500 4,700 4,800 5,000
Wyndam-East Kimberley 8,000 8,300 8,600 8,900 9,100
Kimberley Region 35,900 37,200 38,600 39,900 41,200

Regional WA 530,300 540,700 550,500 559,900 569,000

Communications
Vast distances and relatively small populations characterise the Kimberley Region. As a consequence communications is a vital aspect of infrastructure and it is a major challenge to deliver affordable services.

The Region's urban centres of Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek, Wyndham and Kununurra have access to the national telecommunications network, ABC and SBS national television, WIN and GWN commercial television. A community television station, GTV 35, operates in Broome.

People in and around these centres receive ABC Radio National, ABC Regional and commercial station WAFM. ABC Radio youth network station, Triple J, is received in Broome, Kununurra, Fitzroy Crossing and various remote communities, with Derby to follow in 2006. Northwest Radio is received in Broome, Derby, Argyle and Kununurra with community radio stations such as Goolarri radio and Imparja, being available in most centres and some remote communities.

The Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme (BRACS), introduced in 1987, provides for the re-transmission of television and/or radio services, including local Indigenous content within many Kimberley Indigenous communities.

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) access is available in all towns as well as in a growing number of communities across the Region, enabling local call access to the Internet. Through ISDN, satellite-1-way and satellite-2-way facilities, Internet access is possible throughout the Kimberley. The satellite-2-way technology, offering high-speed Internet access from fixed-line phones in extended zones, was made available in 2003. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is available in Broome, Kununurra, Derby and Wyndham with Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing to follow. A targeted wireless broadband solution for other centres and communities continues to progress through a joint State and Commonwealth initiative.



Under the Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS) people in regional and remote areas can access broadband technology at a comparable cost to those in metropolitan areas.

Digital mobile telephone services are available in all Kimberley towns and several mining operations. The Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital network has been expanded to include all six major towns, Bidyadanga Community, One Arm Point and Djarindjin/Lombadina, Beagle Bay, Balgo and Warmun. These sites are expected to have 3G mobile coverage by the end of 2006 with all CDMA customers to have migrated across to 3G by the end of 2008.

The Community Phones Program commenced in June 2005 allowing remote communities to receive incoming calls. This has allowed communities to be registered in communications directories. The phones are equipped with prepaid phone card facilitates, designed to use a Country Calling Card for outward-bound calls. This process contributes towards improved financial management within communities.

Regional Telecentres ensure that individuals, businesses and community groups have access to the economic and social benefits offered by computers, satellite communications, the Internet, videoconferencing and on-line services and are located throughout the region. A range of Telecentre facilities have also been installed in a number of remote communities across the region.

A bit of good reading make of it what u like..............