The Universal Communications Group has won a deal to install more than 105 kilometres of 96 core fibre cable in regional NSW. This is between the towns of Temora and West Wyalong. The deal is in line with the strategy of UCG to build and operate communications networks beyond the traditional telecom sector.

West Wyalong was previously known as the service centre for a region of wheat, stock, mixed farming, and lumbering. This was after the mines were closed in 1921. While it has air and rail links to Sydney, it can still be challenging to reach the outskirts of West Wyalong. Nevertheless, it is in these outskirts where solar farms are proposed. 

The 75MWp solar farm is located near West Wyalong in NSW, which is expected to power up to 37,500 New South Wales homes. The UCG project will provide a communications service to these proposed solar farms. Esco Pacific built the facility while Mytilineos, a Greece-headquartered global industrial and energy company, acquired the facility. Because of this acquisition, the Australian portfolio of Mytilineos was brought to 290MW. In 2019, Mytilineos also acquired a portfolio of six projects in New South Wales and Queensland. Three of these acquisitions, totaling 120MW, are currently under construction.

For the fibre run, UCG was chosen by Essential Energy, which is a local grid operator. The fibre run will include supplying all resources and materials to survey, design, and construct more than 90km of a new pit and pipe.

According to UCG CEO Muralee Siva: “UCG is delighted to be given this opportunity to build a critical piece of infrastructure in regional NSW and is looking forward to being a long-term strategic partner to Essential Energy through this contract...Both companies are looking forward to successfully delivering this project and working together to bring advanced fibre communications to remote regions in NSW.”

Regarding internet connectivity leveraging fibre cables, the NBN is available in West Wyalong, with the fastest NBN speeds reaching up to 1000Mbps. Several providers are also offering various NBN plans in the area. Currently, 23 different providers are offering NBN fixed line plans in West Wyalong. 

In parallel to this, there are also 12 providers offering NBN fixed wireless plans for the areas where the fixed line is not available. There are also seven different providers offering NBN satellite connection technology for the outskirts of the region. It should also be noted that other internet connection options such as ADSL2+ and mobile broadband are available.