Free internet pilots connect vulnerable Australians online

The Concordia Initiative and Maslow Telecom have completed two pilot connectivity projects that provided free internet access to more than 350 vulnerable Australians in St Kilda in Victoria and Ngalingkadji in Western Australia.

The projects focused on people who lacked stable access to mobile or fixed-line services because of cost, location, or personal circumstances. Concordia said the pilots covered public and community housing and a remote community near Fitzroy Crossing.

Concordia is an Australian charity. Maslow Telecom is a social enterprise telco. Both organisations were founded and funded by entrepreneur Peter Marchiori, according to the groups. Concordia said Marchiori has donated more than $500,000 towards digital inclusion initiatives since April 2024.

St Kilda Wi-Fi

The first pilot delivered free public Wi‑Fi across 20 St Kilda Community Housing properties. Concordia said the project provided internet access to about 300 residents who previously had limited or no digital connection.

The charity said it delivered and funded the installation directly. It said residents could use the service for access to essential services and communications. Concordia also said residents could see lower personal spending on mobile data.

Remote Connections

The second pilot took place in Ngalingkadji, a remote community 55 km south-east of Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia. Concordia said it delivered and installed high-speed internet to 14 homes, covering about 50 residents.

The charity said it formed part of its Digital Access Programme, which targets remote communities with limited telecommunications infrastructure. Concordia said the installation marked a first fixed internet connection for homes in the community.

Concordia said residents could use the connection for video calling, telehealth and education access. It also said people could contact support services more reliably.

Digital Exclusion

Concordia said more than 20% of Australians remain digitally excluded. It said the share rises for First Nations communities, people experiencing homelessness and residents of public housing.

The organisation also criticised the pace and cost of existing approaches from major telcos and government programs. It positioned its pilots as a model based on smaller deployments through community partners.

"Connectivity is care. Digital access is a human right - not a luxury," said Peter Marchiori, Founder, The Concordia Initiative.

"If a small charity can deliver faster, cheaper and more effective solutions than billion-dollar telcos, imagine what we could achieve if more organisations backed this model. Our pilot programs are scalable and we'd love to extend them to more people in need, with backing and support from others." added Marchiori.

SIM Distribution

Alongside the pilots, Concordia and Maslow Telecom run a national SIM program. Concordia said it has distributed more than 3,000 free Maslow Telecom SIMs through 111 partner organisations across Australia.

The partners named by Concordia include The Orange Door Network, Mission Australia, The Salvation Army and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. Concordia said the SIMs have gone to people facing financial vulnerability and unstable access to services.

Maslow Telecom operates on the Telstra Wholesale Network, according to the organisation. Maslow said it donates 100% of profits towards digital inclusion programs. It also said it supports more than 1,000 active monthly users on flexible, low-cost mobile plans with flexible payment options.

Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation works with clients across the Fitzroy Valley. The corporation's Financial Counselling Services Manager described the operational impact of the SIM program for frontline services in remote communities.

"The Concordia Initiative's SIM program has made a significant difference to Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation's service delivery in the Fitzroy Valley. With many of our clients living in remote communities where phone access is limited or unaffordable, the free SIMs have enabled us to reconnect vulnerable individuals with essential services and support. These SIMs have been critical for things like banking access, government services access and digital literacy support." said Marcel Sithole, Kirrayili and Financial Counselling Services Manager, Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation.

"One standout example was being able to assist flood-affected residents in regaining connection after losing belongings post ex tropical cyclone Ellie who otherwise had no means of contact. Their support has helped break down a major digital barrier in our region, fostering real change for families facing financial hardship." Sithole added.

Concordia said it plans to extend the pilot model to more sites and communities as it secures additional backing from partners and supporters.