Telecommunications are vital to the development of the region, which is serviced by the Arnhem Fibre Network and provides broadband telecommunication services. 4G mobile phone service is also available in all major towns and communities in East Arnhem.

The Arnhem Fibre Network was completed in 2009. This $34 million investment was jointly funded by Telstra, the Northern Territory Government and Rio Tinto Alcan.

The 800 kilometre fibre optic network, which links Jabiru and Nhulunbuy, was initially built to support and connect Nhulunbuy township and nine Aboriginal communities in broader Arnhem Land (Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Ramingining, Gapuwiyak, Yirrkala, Minjilang, Warruwi, Milingimbi and Galiwin’ku) and serve a potential 8,000-10,000 Aboriginal people. Subsequently, Nhulunbuy has benefited from the rollout of Fibre to the Premises for residential and commerical properties. Yirrkala and Gunyaŋara on the Gove Peninsula, along with all other East Arnhem communities have access to NBN Co services through the Skymuster satellite services.

The single 24-fibre cable and 2.5 Gb transmission replaced radio infrastructure (microwave towers). 

Presently providing a typical speed of 45Mbps, planning is underway to improve the reliability and diversity of the network. This includes investigations to provide network redundancy in the event of a line failure.

For more information about connecting to the Arnhem Fibre, or Skymuster network, please visit nbnco.com.au/business