Starlink satellite internet rollout
This month, Westland District Council with the assistance of West Coast Emergency Management are rolling Starlink satellite internet kits to 19 communities throughout Westland.
Each kit contains Starlink, small petrol generator, battery pack and vehicle inverter capable of powering the kit and enabling communications back to the Emergency Operations Centre. The multiple ways to power the communications kit means that in the event of an emergency, there is a range of power sources if mains power is unavailable. The kit can be set up in any location as long as the Starlink dish has a clear line of sight to the sky.
In an emergency such as the Alpine fault earthquake, power and communications are likely to be cut off. Starlink kits will provide vital communications support for each community. They will have contact with the Westland Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and help staff prioritise resources. The EOC will have the ability to share information and support morale.
The kits are Westland District Council assets and, where needed, they can be deployed to other parts of the West Coast and further afield to support disaster management.
The first kit was delivered and tested in the Otira community, and the remaining kits will be distributed across the district this month. The project team have worked closely with the IT team at Westland District Council, Rick McCobb from Honda Farm, Trail and Road in Greymouth, HB21 and Jason Sommerville from J Tech in Christchurch.
Photo – West Coast Emergency Management
