How services to mining companies can achieve rapid connectivity in rural areas

Once reserved for high-flying executives, the ability to work from anywhere is now commonplace for almost every worker in every industry.

Supported by stronger and faster internet connections, people are able to tap into their company network whether they are in the office, on the move, or working from home.

However, there is one key challenge that is not quite as simple as setting up a laptop from a home base…and that’s securing a trusted connection to the company network when you’re operating in a highly remote area.

Particularly for companies that deliver services within the mining sector, gaining access to business-critical documents and reliable communications while on site can be difficult at the best of times. 

Consider a geotechnical engineering company that has been contracted to deliver services for a mining project in outback Australia. Engineers are deployed onsite to complete their assessments, yet they are unable to use the mining company’s network infrastructure to connect to their own home base. With zero connectivity, the engineers can’t get to important files or liaise with colleagues to complete their work.

This is a common issue for many businesses that provide services to the mining sector, and one that is not readily fixed using standard remote working capabilities. It’s also further complicated by the speed at which these companies need to deploy their people, with subsequent mining activities relying on the outcome of their investigations before they can move forward.

Leveraging new technology to enable lower-cost connectivity

Traditionally, the challenge of gaining connectivity in rural areas was solved by tapping into services from high-orbit satellites to enable communications.

Nowadays, the NBN has simplified this by facilitating low-cost internet and network connectivity across the country. In addition, new age low-orbit satellites will change the game in remote connectivity; offering services with a much higher speed and lower latency than their high-orbit counterparts.

The new Starlink initiative from Elon Musk is set to revolutionise internet connectivity in coming years, as we seek to benefit from the thousands of new low-orb satellites which have been strategically placed across the globe to deliver data at never-before-seen speeds.

Given the ease of connectivity in a modern world, the only challenge that remains for businesses operating in remote areas is how to deploy a fully configured solution that enables a rapid, ultra-secure connection to the company network.

How rapid deployment rigs solve this challenge

To facilitate these types of engagements between mining and services to mining companies, RSM offers rapid deployment rigs which provide a complete and fully configured network in a simple pelican case.

Simply drop it down where you need it, connect to your company network, and achieve full connectivity and communication with your home base.

Available to lease or buy, each rig is housed within a shock and weather-resistant case and includes:

• Secure wireless network connection
• Next-generation firewall
• Access to your company’s files and intranet
• VoIP configuration for calls or video conferences
• Secure endpoint protection for all connected devices

Essentially, it allows services to mining companies to deploy people to a site quickly and without the hassle – fully equipped to fulfill their requirements while operating from anywhere.

This small but invaluable piece of hardware can be carried into the depths of Africa if required, giving our clients confidence that they can access all the services they need to do their best work no matter where they are.

Looking to learn more?

To find out more about RSM’s rapid deployment rigs, contact our Managed IT Services division.