Satellites deliver remote education

JCU is working closely with local Cairns business AirBridge, commissioning Vocus Starlink services that use low orbiting satellites to provide internet access in rural and remote locations across Australia.

It allows people living in remote Queensland communities greater opportunities to study with JCU.

The partnership with AirBridge has seen the satellite broadband introduced at JCU sites and student accommodation at Thursday Island, Burketown, Dajarra and Emerald, with some introductory Learn JCU modules provided free for prospective students.

JCU's Head of Digital Infrastructure Delivery Dean Coran said the partnership with AirBridge is a strong investment in the growth of learning opportunities for students in rural and remote locations and helps the university broaden its footprint in remote areas.

"This advancement has provided reliable internet connectivity so people who wouldn't normally have opportunities or reliable internet can come in and get a feel and taste for what higher education is like and the different courses that JCU provides," he said.

"Before Starlink the only solution we had for these remote areas was 4G connectivity, which had hardly any reception, had bandwidth issues, and was more susceptible to outages as you're relying on phone towers and old technology.

"We've also enhanced the connectivity with the same solution at our research stations at Fletcherview Station and Orpheus Island. Orpheus Island would have at least one outage most week, and since we've put Starlink in, they haven't had one."

JCU has also procured a new, customised and portable Starlink solution, ARNI™ Air, for students in the Emerald area, which is notorious for its lack of reliable communications.

Students in this area are often staying in temporary accommodation with no reliable internet or communications but ARNI™ Air has fixed those problems.

AirBridge General Manager Jordan Morris said it has been fantastic to be working closely with James Cook University delivering ground-breaking low earth orbit (LEO) connectivity across multiple regional and remote JCU sites.

"AirBridge support JCU's vision for remote education and recognise the importance of First Nations, rural and remote communities having equal levels of digital access and education, no matter the location," he said.

"With reliable internet access now available, students and community members can not only improve their digital literacy skills but access paths to modern education through various JCU programs."