Aqura gets Federal funding for underground 5G

Aqura has already invested over $2 million itself into the technical design, commercial model and installation of a live private 5G network in a functioning mining application in Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie region.

The Veris subsidiary will use the funds to test underground 5G network capabilities and validate the business case for future and concurrent developments.

Aqura chief executive officer Travis Young said the grant would benefit more than just the company itself.

“We commend the Australian Government for the opportunity to develop an important technology that offers so much potential to advance not just the resources industry, but across a range of other broader industry applications,” Young said.

Veris chairman Karl Paganin said the funding would allow Aqura to continue a strong body of work and research into furthering 5G networks in Australia.

“We’re very pleased to see Aqura recognised for their work in latest-generation Industrial Wireless networks and build on its delivery of one of Australia’s first above-ground private 5G LTE networks earlier this year in northern Queensland,” Paganin said.

“This grant will enable the Aqura team to address the challenges that the very important underground operations sector faces as the industry looks to improve environmental, productivity and safety outcomes.”

Young concluded that Aqura could use the funding to continue to develop the Australian communications landscape for the mining industry.

“This grant recognises the market-leading skillset and innovation capabilities within the Aqura team as we continue to develop the unique architectures and commercial models required to accelerate the adoption of this critical technology by Australian enterprises,” Young said.

The trial project in Kalgoorlie will provide comprehensive results within the next 12 months.