‘Connectivity is care’: Remote WA community goes online for the first time

This installation is part of The Concordia Initiative’s Digital Access Program, which extends mobile and home internet connectivity to remote communities with limited telecommunications infrastructure.

For many community members in Ngalingkadji, 55 km south-east of Fitzroy Crossing this has provided the first opportunity for them to video call family, access telehealth, engage with education providers, and stay connected with support services. 

Low-cost, community-led connectivity

Founded by serial entrepreneur and social innovator Peter Marchiori, The Concordia Initiative works in partnership with social enterprise telecommunications company Maslow Telecom to provide low-cost, community-led connectivity solutions to Australians who have been left offline due to disadvantage, geography or circumstance.

This includes victims of family and domestic violence, disadvantaged youth, First Nations communities and residents of community housing. 

Digital access is a human right – not a luxury,” Mr Marchiori said.

Mr Marchiori is driven by the belief that digital access is a human right, not a luxury. After building a multimillion-dollar start-up supplying refurbished iPhones to Uber’s Asia Pacific fleet, he walked away from the traditional telecommunications model to launch Maslow Telecom and The Concordia Initiative, to deliver affordable, barrier-free connectivity to vulnerable Australians.

“Connectivity is care. Digital access is a human right – not a luxury,” Mr Marchiori said.

“If a small charity can deliver faster, cheaper and more effective solutions than billion-dollar telcos and government programs, imagine what we could achieve if more organisations backed this model.

Our pilot program is scalable and we’d love to extend them to more people in need, with backing and support from others.”

Since April 2024, Mr Marchiori has donated more than $500,000 towards Concordia’s digital inclusion initiatives, which includes the Ngalingkadji pilot program.

Concordia has also distributed 3,000-plus free Maslow Telecom SIM cards under its national SIM Program, partnering with 111 organisations across Australia such as Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation (WA), Kimberley Community Legal Services (WA), Ngalingkadji Community (WA), Kimberley Money Management (WA), The Orange Door Network, Mission Australia, The Salvation Army, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and more.

Marcel Sithole, Kirrayili and Financial Counselling Services Manager, Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation said the Concordia Initiative’s SIM program had made a significant difference to service delivery in the Fitzroy Valley.

National approach

“With many of our clients living in remote communities where phone access is limited or unaffordable, the free SIMs have enabled us to reconnect vulnerable individuals with essential services and support. These SIMs have been critical for things like banking access, government services access and digital literacy support,” he said.

“One standout example was being able to assist flood-affected residents in regaining connection after losing belongings post ex-tropical cyclone Ellie who otherwise had no means of contact. Their support has helped break down a major digital barrier in our region, fostering real change for families facing financial hardship.”

After the successful Ngalingkadji pilot, Mr Marchiori is now preparing to scale his wi-fi model nationally through what he calls the2030x2030 Project – a plan to connect 2,030 premises across 100 remote communities by 2030.

At an estimated $50,000 per community, the $5 million initiative would replicate the infrastructure already proven in WA – and cost significantly less than comparable Federal programs.

Mr Marchiori is also developing an affordable, purpose-built mobile device designed specifically for remote and vulnerable Australians – assembled in Australia, creating jobs for people in remote communities, and engineered to reduce reliance on traditional cellular networks and lower connectivity barriers.

About The Concordia Initiative

Founded in 2024, The Concordia Initiative is an Australian charity working to close the digital divide by providing free and low-cost connectivity to disadvantaged communities. Partnering with more than 100 community and social service organisations, Concordia delivers practical, community-led digital solutions across Australia. The organisation believes digital access is a universal right – not a privilege.

About Maslow Telecom

Maslow Telecom is a for-purpose mobile network operating on the Telstra Wholesale Network. Launched in 2023, Maslow provides affordable, flexible mobile plans designed for people facing financial vulnerability. All profits are donated towards national digital inclusion programs, including those delivered by The Concordia Initiative.