Remote Campgrounds Off Grid Public WiFi

The Challenge

The Shire of Ravensthorpe had a simple but critical request: deliver public WiFi to three remote campgrounds. These locations, nestled in the scenic yet isolated areas of Starvation Bay, Masson Bay, and Hammersley Inlet, faced unique challenges:

1. Safety: With the campgrounds prone to significant fires in recent years, reliable communication was essential for emergency situations.
2. Efficient Booking Management: Previously, campers had to call Shire staff to amend bookings, which was time-consuming for both parties.
3. Camper Convenience: The switch from an honesty box system to an online booking system was necessary for better amenity management. However, the lack of signal meant campers sometimes faced an 80km round trip on gravel roads just to make a booking.

The Reality

While mobile coverage maps suggested 4G availability at Starvation Bay and Masson Bay, the reality was different. Reliable connections were hard to come by unless you had a booster or were in a perfect spot. Hammersley Inlet, shadowed by East Mount Barren, had even worse connectivity.

The Solution

We turned to Starlink to provide the robust connection needed. Partnering with Castlehowe our electrical contractor, we designed a solar/battery-powered system capable of operating for multiple days, even with poor solar activity.

Legal Considerations

Navigating the legal landscape was the next step. After reviewing the Telecommunications Act 1997 and consulting with the Australian Communications and Media Authority, we sought specialized legal advice. With solid legal opinions in hand, we moved forward confidently.

Implementation

Once the concrete footings cured, our team, in collaboration with Castlehowe, completed the installation over two long days. The WiFi now offers a 183m radius coverage from each tower. To ensure equitable use, public WiFi speeds are capped at 1.5Mbps down and 0.5Mbps up per device, though the Starlink connection itself exceeds 250Mbps down and 50Mbps up with a latency of under 35ms.

Success

The installation was completed on March 21, 2024. Within a month, the Shire reported that the WiFi had already aided in two emergency situations and was being well-utilized by campers.

If you’re interested in learning more about this project, feel free to reach out!