TNQ Drought Hub
James Cook University Australia
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On-farm LEO Connectivity Trial

The aim of the LEO Satellite trials was to empower producers to adopt technologies that would make improvements to their business, education, medical access, and social access if they had better connectivity.

Starlink Trial

Background

Reliable internet access underpins modern farming, but for many North Queensland producers, connectivity challenges remain a daily frustration. Issues such as seasonal landline disruptions, patchy mobile coverage, slow speeds, and outdated, data-limited plans hinder not just the adoption of proven AgTech solutions that could improve business operations and drought resilience, but impact essential services such as education and healthcare and the delivery of extension services.

Recognising this barrier, the TNQ Drought Hub led a project to trial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite internet technology in rural locations across North Queensland. Unlike traditional satellite systems, LEO satellites operate at lower altitudes, offering faster speeds and lower latency, opening new opportunities for remote paddocks, stock camps, and yards that previously had no connectivity.

Why This Matters

Connectivity is foundational to modern rural resilience. Without reliable internet, producers are unable to access digital tools that could improve productivity, sustainability, and community wellbeing.

The TNQ Drought Hub saw an opportunity to trial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology, specifically Starlink, as a potential solution to bridge this digital divide and empower rural communities.

Access to reliable, fast internet enables:

  • Producers to adopt AgTech and access real-time data for informed drought management.
  • Field officers to deliver extension services, workshops, and field days in remote areas.
  • Immediate access to business, education, telehealth, and emergency services.
  • Improved workplace safety and efficiency for staff working in isolated environments

What We Did

Twelve Starlink units were deployed across North Queensland’s diverse landscapes, from highly remote cattle stations to outer suburban properties. The TNQ Drought Hub partnered with hub Node Gulf Savannah NRM staff to identify suitable trial participants and ensure alignment with local needs. Simultaneously, hub Node NQ Dry Tropics began a dedicated six-month trial across the Burdekin Dry Tropics region to test Starlink’s reliability and speed for field officers working in areas with limited or no internet service.

Participants were supported to install and test Starlink, assessing:

  • Data transfer speeds and latency
  • Connection stability and reliability
  • Ease of use and setup
  • Value for money and plan suitability
  • Compatibility with existing devices and apps
  • Customer service experiences

Feedback was collected over 6-12 months to compare Starlink with existing services, understand user experiences, and identify opportunities for wider connectivity improvements.

What Changed

  • Enhanced Connectivity: Both producers and field officers reported significantly improved speeds and reliability, especially in remote areas, facilitating smoother online operations and reduced daily frustrations.
  • Adoption of AgTech: Reliable internet enabled producers to explore in-paddock technologies and digital business tools supporting efficiency gains, while field staff could extend service delivery in areas previously unreachable due to connectivity limitations. Feedback indicated increased interest in adopting agtech solutions and greater confidence in digital connectivity.
  • Positive Outcomes in Rural Areas: Most participants reported significant improvements in internet reliability and speed, enabling better access to online services and digital tools.
  • Mixed Results in Suburban Areas: In some outer suburban regions, Starlink performed similarly to existing services.
  • Setup and Ease of Use: While most installations were straightforward, and the user-friendly interface received strong praise, a few encountered minor issues such as hardware damage or delivery errors.
  • Community Benefits: Beyond farm operations, the technology enabled live-streaming family events, improved access to education and telehealth, and enhanced safety for remote workers.

Opportunities for Improvement

  • The LEO satellite technology improves connectivity in remote and underserved areas, unlocking opportunities for AgTech adoption and effective NRM service delivery, however there are still mixed latency issues with some areas similar to existing services and compatibility issues with older devices and specific email systems. There was also confusion during ordering and pin registration for rural addresses.
  • Hands-on demonstrations and tailored support improve confidence in technology adoption among producers and NRM staff but Starlink customer service is limited and is ticket-only support doing outages.
NQ Dry Tropics