What's Happening?
TPG Telecom is collaborating with the University of Technology Sydney to create a digital twin of its network infrastructure. This initiative, supported by a $1.3 million federal grant, aims to predict
and manage outages and other service disruptions during disasters. The digital twin will simulate TPG Telecom's 5G infrastructure using real-time data from the network and potentially from emergency services and energy utilities. This technology is expected to help identify environmental risks and coverage gaps, allowing for proactive measures such as deploying temporary coverage or rerouting traffic. The project is set to begin development next year, with trials scheduled for July 2026 and full deployment anticipated in 2027.
Why It's Important?
The development of a digital twin by TPG Telecom represents a significant advancement in disaster resilience for telecommunications infrastructure. By enabling early detection of potential service disruptions, the technology can minimize downtime and improve coordination with emergency responders. This proactive approach not only enhances service reliability but also supports community and business preparedness for risks like flooding and power outages. The initiative aligns with broader efforts to integrate digital twin technology in infrastructure management, potentially setting a precedent for other sectors to adopt similar strategies.
What's Next?
TPG Telecom and UTS plan to start developing the digital twin tool next year, with trials scheduled to start from July 2026. The system is expected to be deployed in production by 2027. As the project progresses, collaboration with emergency services and power companies will be crucial to refine the technology and expand its application across TPG Telecom's network footprint. The success of this initiative could lead to wider adoption of digital twin technology in other areas of infrastructure management.
