A partnership for enhanced telecommunications reliability to keep critical networks powered in rural and remote Australia
Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services company, required a solution to increase standby resilience for rural and remote sites across its exchanges and mobile base stations. These locations are susceptible to prolonged mains power outages and the potential impact of natural disasters.
Ensuring critical mobile coverage for emergency services and communities during these events is vital. As weather events become more frequent and severe this need is even more critical. An example is the 2024 supercell thunderstorm in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields in Western Australia, which caused widespread telecommunications disruptions and power outages, highlighted the need for robust backup systems.
Telstra required a solution that was robust, simple, and cost-effective as well as easily deployed to be integrated into existing AC mains powered sites. The solution also needed to allow suitably trained local personnel to support the communications infrastructure by installing a standby generator if maintenance personnel were unavailable.
Battery Energy, in collaboration with Telstra, developed a robust, simple, and cost-effective solution. This is known as the Automatic Transfer Unit (ATU). Battery Energy’s Product Engineering and Design and Construction departments, working with trusted component suppliers, developed this unit.
The ATU is designed to be easily deployed and integrated into an existing AC mains powered site. Its function is to monitor the condition of the incoming AC mains supply into the exchange or mobile base station. In the event of a mains power outage, local authorities can connect portable generators. The ATU automatically transfers the AC power supply to the generator and then monitors the mains supply quality and automatically transfers back when it is healthy.
This solution ensures vital communications services are maintained by the generator.
Covering 99.7% of the Australian population, Telstra's mobile network covers about 1 million square kilometres - more than any other network. With such large market share, continuity of service is critical for Telstra.
This proactive approach to power management strengthens Telstra's ability to maintain essential services during challenging events. The ATU ensures that critical telecommunications infrastructure remains operational, minimising service disruptions and bolstering the reliability of Telstra's network in vulnerable locations.
By facilitating the swift deployment of standby generators to affected areas, this system ensures that vital communication lines remain open for residents to connect with family, access essential information and seek assistance when needed.
The ATU system also ensures that emergency services can protect and serve the community to coordinate efforts, receive critical information, and communicate effectively during emergencies.
Over 300 rural and regional sites across Australia have been upgraded with the ATU solution to date, ensuring essential mobile and communication services have been secured to support first responders and communities during network outages.
Maintain essential services during challenging events by keeping critical telecommunications infrastructure operational and minimising service disruptions
Enables the swift deployment of standby generators to affected areas, ensuring vital communication lines remain open
Ensures continuous vital telecommunications infrastructure is available for emergency services
Telstra is Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services company. They build and operate telecommunications networks and offer voice, mobile, internet access, pay television and other products and services. They operate one of the largest networks in the world.
