UHF-Based Community Voice Service in Ngannyatjarra Lands of Australia

Abstract

The Ngaanyatjarra land is located in the Gibson Desert in the state of Western Australia, and is the home of 12 major communities primarily made up of indigenous peoples. These communities are spread over a 250,000 square kilometre radius, with the population of each community ranging from 75 to 450. The remote location of these communities, far from major rural centres, has limited the roll-out of advanced communication technologies. One area of concern has been the limited availability of personal communication services to provide communication links within and between these communities.