The Growing Impact of Climate Disasters:

Australia is facing an increase in climate-driven disasters. From catastrophic floods in northern Queensland to record bushfires across New South Wales and Victoria, the physical and social impacts of extreme weather are increasingly severe. Amid these events, one vulnerability has become particularly clear: the fragility of our telecommunications networks.

When connectivity supports essential infrastructure, such as emergency services, healthcare, and education, disruptions can have significant and wide-ranging impacts on the population.

The Scale of the Challenge: 

Data from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) illustrates the scope of the issue. Between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2024, regional, rural, and remote Australians lodged 51,854 complaints about phone and internet outages, service faults, and accessibility issues. During the 2023 New South Wales bushfires, many telecom outages were caused by power failures at mobile base stations rather than direct infrastructure damage. Communities were left isolated for extended periods of time, delaying access to emergency services and evacuation efforts. In the 2022 Queensland floods, several towns experienced lengthy mobile network disruptions because key transmission routes were submerged or damaged. These examples highlight that resilient networks require careful planning, redundancy, and investment in systems that can maintain service under pressure.

Building Climate-Resilient Networks:

To withstand climate-related disruptions, networks must be built using a multi-layered approach and methodology.

First, redundancy and backup capacity should be built into infrastructure, particularly in high-risk and remote areas. This includes battery backup systems, diesel or solar-powered generators, and duplicated transmission pathways to carry traffic if primary routes fail. Designing networks in this way reduces the risk of complete disconnection during disasters.

Second, expanding localised infrastructure such as fixed wireless networks is critical. Fixed wireless allows communities to stay connected even if main fibre or mobile lines are damaged. This approach has been successfully implemented in several regional areas, providing resilience for towns prone to bushfires, floods, and cyclones. By decentralising networks and investing in local nodes, operators can ensure residents remain connected when it matters most.

Third, disaster-ready design principles must be a core part of network planning. This includes considering environmental risks at every stage of deployment, from tower placement to construction materials and power systems. Operators should also integrate rapid repair and recovery protocols, ensuring outages are resolved efficiently. Beyond technology, this approach involves training personnel and coordinating with emergency services so communications continue to function during crises.

A Call to Action for the Telecommunications Sector:

The lessons for Australia’s telecommunications sector are clear. Climate resilience and digital inclusion must be integrated into all aspects of network design and operation. Investments in redundancy, localised infrastructure, and disaster-ready planning are essential for keeping communities connected during extreme events. Aligning network planning with climate risk data also allows operators to anticipate challenges, reduce downtime, and safeguard public trust.

Future-Proofing Connectivity:

As extreme weather events become more frequent, the need for reliable, climate-aware telecommunications networks will only grow. The sector has an opportunity to lead by example, building networks that are resilient, inclusive, and dependable. By prioritising disaster readiness and investing in infrastructure suited to our environment, telecommunications operators can provide more than a service; they can offer security, stability, and continuity for all Australians.

About Swoop:

Swoop is a national provider of data, mobile and voice services to wholesale providers, business and residential customers with a focus on its own fibre and fixed wireless infrastructure. The Swoop network is designed and scaled to deliver ultra-reliable, high throughput, flexible telecom network services. Swoop is established and has the goal to build its business to become Australia’s best challenger internet and telecommunications provider.  

Committed to exceptional service and competitive pricing, Swoop also offers voice services and tailored solutions. With a strategic focus on growth through acquisitions and network expansion, Swoop aims to become Australia's premier challenger in the telecom space. Since listing in 2021, Swoop has acquired nine companies, including Moose Mobile, Speedweb, Countrytell, Voicehub, Luminet, iFibre, Beam Internet, and Community Communications. The company continues to gain recognition, recently being named a finalist in the 2025 Australian Financial Review Customer Champions Awards, recognised in the 2024 Deloitte Australia Technology Fast 50, and acknowledged as a Digital Transformation Leader by the Australian Financial Review in 2023. Swoop is also the winner of the 2025 Product Review Internet & Mobile Service Awards and a five-time consecutive Canstar Blue award winner for Outstanding Value (2020–2024), as well as a finalist in the 2023 Australian Growth Company Awards.