Connectivity for Travellers in Regional Australia

Reliable phone and internet connectivity can be very different in remote Australia compared to towns and cities. Distance, terrain, weather and limited infrastructure will affect how well mobile networks work. Coverage varies from town to town, and distance and terrain between infrastructure such as towers impact service areas. In tourist areas or during major events in small communities, congestion usually impact coverage. Signal bars do not always reflect call quality or network reliability. A few things to help you plan: 

• Check coverage maps for Optus, Telstra and Vodafone before travelling. 

• Ask locals which networks work best. 

• Download maps and important information before you go so you can access them offline. 

What to do when signal is weak 

There are a few things you can do to prepare for low or no signal areas: 

Wi-Fi calling  

• Wi-Fi calling allows compatible mobile phones to make and receive calls and SMS over a Wi-Fi internet connection when mobile coverage is limited or unavailable. This means, if you can access a fixed internet connection, you still have access to calls and messages. This includes free wifi locations. Find out more about how Wi-Fi calling helps and how to access it here. 

Use texts instead of calls 

• Text messages require less bandwidth and signal strength than voice calls. 

Using messaging apps over Wi-Fi 

• If you’ve got access to a fixed internet connection, you can use messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger to send messages over the internet instead of the mobile network. 

Use mobile signal boosters 

• External antennas and signal-boosting equipment, such as CelFi and Zetifi systems, can improve reception in some situations. Find out more about legally using antennas here. 

Internet access in regional, rural and remote towns is often very different from what travellers are used to. Some communities may be served by fibre (common in cities), many will use fixed wireless connections, while more remote towns will use satellite options. 

Weather and natural disasters can damage infrastructure and affect how long repairs take. It’s important to manage your expectations of what you want to use your connection for, as: 

• public Wi-Fi can be limited. 

• caravan park and café Wi-Fi quality can vary. 

• farm stays and remote accommodation may prioritise operational or business connectivity. 

• using shared connections at accommodation and other centres can compromise online security. 

• your mobile data usage may increase compared to when you use your home connection. 

There are several options available to you when you travel: 

• Depending on the type of connection you want to access, you can use portable options such as mobile broadband or Starlink Roam. 

• Use shared connections at your accommodation or other centres. 

• Hotspot from your mobile phone. 

Once you leave a town or remote community, your connectivity can drop fast, as you travel through changing terrain and the distance between infrastructure increases.  Some areas have no service at all. 

It’s important, particularly in case of an emergency, to plan for this loss in coverage. 

Some suggestions for remote travel preparation are: 

• Ensure someone knows your planned route and timeframes for travel. 

• Carry an EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon) when travelling in remote areas. 

• Use offline tools such as maps by downloading them before travelling. Sometimes GPS directions are not the best route to follow, particularly if weather conditions aren’t optimal, so check in with service stations and tourist information centres before setting out.  

• Listen to local radio stations for regular news and weather updates. 

• Ensure you have redundancy options for your connectivity. Turn Wi-Fi calling turned on, understand how new satellite technologies work and if you can access them (Telstra’s STM and Apple I-phone emergency app). Always carry a spare charging cable and if possible, a charged battery bank. 

Having a portable internet option can provide an alternative connection and even allow you to maintain phone contact using Wi-Fi calling. For more information about the options below, visit our portable internet page. Your options include: 

Mobile broadband 

• A mobile network may be accessible either by hot spotting from your mobile phone (which uses your phone’s data allowance) or through a mobile modem or dongle. A dongle is a USB plug which uses the power and software from the device it is attached to and only supplies internet to this device; while a portable modem (nighthawk etc.) has its own power and charging capabilities and can be used across multiple devices at the same time. They both use a separate SIM card. 

Satellite through Starlink 

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services such as Starlink can provide portable internet access in areas without mobile coverage. You can access this through their Starlink Roam monthly subscription plan with the option for 100Gb of data or unlimited data.  
• While the standard dish setup has more reliable coverage and router setup, the Mini Dish setup is more compact, has a built-in Wi-Fi router, and has multiple power options, you can run it off DC power and/or portable USB power options. Both these dishes with the Roam subscription allow for connectivity while in motion, with a variety of vehicle mounts available in the market. 
• Another less known option is subscribing to Starlink Roam and putting your account to “stand-by mode” after the first month, which allows the device to stream unlimited low speed data at a low monthly fee. This is great for phone calls or sending text messages, but you must be stationary for this to work. 

There are several connectivity options to consider for emergency situations and staying connected on the road. These are backup tools and are not designed for everyday communication. For more information on staying connected in an emergency, visit the following resources: 

• Staying connected in emergencies 
• Connection options in an emergency 
• How To Use Your Mobile In An Emergency  

Emergency Calls in Australia 

Triple Zero (000) is Australia’s primary emergency number. 
Use it in life-threatening or time-critical situations requiring police, fire, or ambulance services. 

What About 112? 

112 is the international emergency number and can be dialled from mobile phones. 

• It connects to the same emergency system as 000 
• There is no priority or advantage over calling 000 
• It still requires mobile coverage to work 

You Must Have a Connection 

To call 000 or 112, you need one of the following: 

• Mobile coverage (any carrier) 
• Wi-Fi calling via a working broadband connection 
• A landline or VoIP service 

If there is no mobile coverage at all, 112 will not work. 

Emergency+ App 

The Emergency+ app is a helpful tool, but it does not bypass normal network requirements. 

• It connects through 000 
• It requires mobile coverage or a broadband connection 
• It cannot connect via satellite on its own 

Satellite Messaging 

Some newer devices support satellite-based emergency messaging in Australia, including: 

• iPhone 14 and newer 
• Google Pixel 9 and newer 
• These features work differently from a standard emergency call: 
• They do not call 000 directly 
• They connect to a third-party emergency relay service via satellite 
• The relay service then contacts emergency services on your behalf 
• Requirements include: 
• A compatible device 
• A clear line of sight to the sky 
• Learn more: 
• Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-au/101573 
• Google Pixel: www.support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15254448 

Satellite-to-Mobile Messaging (SMS) 

Some mobile providers offer limited messaging outside coverage, such as Telstra’s satellite-to-mobile SMS. 

• Requires a compatible device and plan 
• May allow text messaging when outside mobile coverage 
• You cannot text 000 in Australia 
• More information: 
• Telstra: www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-technology/satellite-to-mobile 

Important Notes 

• Mobile phones do not automatically switch to satellite to call or text 000 
• You cannot send SMS messages to 000 using satellite services in Australia 

Key Takeaway for Rural, Regional and Remote Areas 

If you do not have: 

• Mobile coverage 
• Wi-Fi calling (with a working broadband service) 
• A working landline or VoIP service 
• You will not be able to call 000 or 112. 

Emergency access depends on either: 

• Voice calling capability (for 000 or 112), or 
• A compatible device with satellite emergency messaging features 

More Information 

Facts on emergency numbers:
https://www.triplezero.gov.au/triple-zero/other-emergency-numbers 

When you work in regional, rural or remote Australia, connectivity isn’t a convenience it is essential for business continuity. From uploading reports and processing payments to accessing cloud mapping platforms and lodging compliance documentation, reliable connectivity keeps your workflow moving.

To find out more about how to stay online while travelling for work, please visit our small business page.