Mobile, internet reception along Gibb River Road

My parents are travelling the Gibb River Road leaving Kempsey NSW 10 May. They would like to watch ABC news and speak to us occasionally.

Can you tell me if Telstra Next G works up there and if they can get internet? I have suggested Skype and ABC TV on the internet but I really am not sure. If you can help with any ideas that would be great.

Thanks very much,
Kylie

Note: This reader question and the answer below is from 2009.
Please see this page for up to date information:
Mobile phone reception and internet along the Gibb River Road.


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Related Reader Pages:
Mobile phone communication along Gibb River Road
Power supply on the Gibb River Road and across the Kimberley

Comments for Mobile, internet reception along Gibb River Road

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Apr 30, 2009
 Mobile phone / NextG along Gibb River Road
by: Birgit

Please see this page about Mobile phones along the Gibb River Road.

NextG is not muach different I'm afraid. Sorry, but you can't pick up a signal anywhere along the Gibb. The only places outside the Kimberley towns where you get NextG reception are the Aboriginal communities up on Cape Leveque. (You'll get a signal at the reception of Kooljaman, you even get one at Bully's Camp, and in all the communities.)

I use a NextG wireless modem myself, it's the only way for me to get any internet, and the moment you leave a town, that's it.

There are some public phones along the way (Imintji, Mt Barnett, Drysdale...). If reliable communication is important to your parents they can hire a sat phone.

As for the TV, the only suggestion I have is that they remember they came to see a wilderness and go without.
Unplug from the world, including the world news...

(Home Valley Station offers wireless internet, but that doesn't solve the problem since, like El Questro, it's more or less just out of Kununurra.)
May 07, 2009
 Communication when out bush
by: Mel

An alternative to relying on the sometimes unpredictable mobile network or even Sat-phone (yes we were somewhere near Denham River and a person bogged out there had a Sat phone that wasn't receiving!) is the HF Radio.

This radio network also permits communication to any telephone as well as to emergency services and other users of HF. If you do alot of remote travelling then this is generally the recommended communication method for peace of mind and safety.
Feb 22, 2015
 Communications
by: Ross

It is true to say mobile phone coverage is non existent.
I carry an Irridium sat phone and a UHF CB radio.

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