Private 5G resilience showcased during cyclone Alfred event
A new private residential wireless 5G network proved its resilience by maintaining connectivity during ex-tropical cyclone Alfred while major carriers faced outages.
Mark Langdon, CEO at Prospecta Utilities, which implemented the private wireless 5G network at the GemLife Gold Coast over-50s community in Queensland, highlighted the importance of telecommunications diversification in safeguarding against disruptions, such as natural disasters and cyber security threats.
"More than 300,000 homes lost power as a result of ex-tropical cyclone Alfred, with thousands of residents impacted by phone and internet outages due to the reliance on just a few major carriers using the same networks and power source," Langdon stated.
Langdon explained that the mmWave network at GemLife Gold Coast operates off-grid, allowing it to remain functional despite the widespread outages affecting other networks. This network ensured residents retained access to broadband services and television, facilitating communication and access to critical updates during the cyclone.
"It's an important example of the need to diversify telecommunications networks, to protect the community from the mass impacts experienced during events like natural disasters or cyber security breaches," Langdon added.
The technology combines a 5G core with mmWave radios, providing high-speed internet and low latency suitable for advanced applications, including smart city infrastructures and autonomous technologies. After a six-month trial, the network was activated last month for 45 homes at the GemLife Gold Coast, an AUD $200 million development set to eventually connect 400 residences.
In partnership with GemLife and related companies, Prospecta Utilities aims to extend this technology to 14,000 homes across 30 land lease resorts in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria by 2028.
Residents at GemLife Gold Coast have reportedly experienced internet speeds 550% faster than typical households, achieving download speeds up to 650 megabits per second (mb/s), compared with usual speeds of 50 to 100 mb/s. This is coupled with unlimited data and 99.8% network availability.
Once fully rolled out, the network is anticipated to deliver 20 terabytes of data monthly via 39 radio access points, offer cloud-based services, and offer bespoke free-to-air television.
Langdon cited the Australian Communications and Media Authority's decision to allow organisations outside major mobile operators to access spectrum licences as pivotal in advancing this technology.
"The GemLife Gold Coast network is an Australian-first for the residential sector, and we see significant opportunity across the land lease space, retirement homes, and multi-residential communities, which have the scale to benefit from the technology," Langdon noted. He pointed out the additional benefits of private networks, such as increased reliability and the potential to connect more advanced devices than traditional systems.
Langdon also mentioned sectors such as mining and transportation as early adopters of similar technologies to enhance efficiency and safety.
GemLife Director and CEO Adrian Puljich remarked on the positive reception of the technology for both entertainment and connectivity purposes within the community. According to him, it primes the communities to adapt to future technological advancements.
"As telehealth develops, our residents will have the capability to connect devices to the network so doctors can keep an eye on their recovery in real-time, using things like wearable health monitors, rehabilitation equipment, and augmented reality therapy devices," Puljich explained.
Looking to the future, Puljich envisages autonomous vehicles and connected smart systems, which would enhance sustainability and living conditions for residents as part of their comprehensive community engagement strategy.
Prospecta Utilities was formed in 2023 to deliver telecommunications and renewable energy solutions, with plans to triple its delivery scope by 2027.
