Launch Housing
Discover how Aussie Broadband worked alongside Launch Housing to provide critical connectivity for vulnerable Australians with a tailored enterprise network solution.
Working with Launch Housing
Launch Housing is one of Victoria’s largest organisations providing homelessness support to Aussies facing hardship.
The organisation faced a significant challenge in 2022. It needed to upgrade its crisis supported accommodation sites with reliable Wi-Fi to:
Support residents with personal internet access
Redesign its IT network to optimise performance and security.
Providing residents with safe, individual access to the internet was critical to assist in maintaining normalcy through difficult circumstances. However, Launch Housing’s infrastructure presented a significant challenge for implementation and configuration.
Optimising Infrastructure in Sensitive Environments
For Launch Housing, support means more than providing a safe place to sleep for people who need it most. It's about dignity, safety and a connection to support services and loved ones. Unfortunately, its network infrastructure couldn't meet the aspirational requirements of residents and staff.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the digital divide became more pronounced with everything from school to Centrelink moving online. The lack of easy access to reliable Wi-Fi left Launch Housing residents in a difficult position.
Several Launch Housing sites were in older buildings which presented physical challenges like high ceilings and detached structures. IT upgrades would require scissor lifts and trenching through concrete for equipment installation. Works needed to accommodate operational needs and respect the living spaces of residents. Many of whom were experiencing significant hardship.
Launch Housing also had a lean IT team which required Aussie Broadband to act as an extension in provisioning and implementation.
“Having access to the internet is not a luxury, but a necessity. It provides connection in so many ways. It’s a connection that promotes a more inclusive pathway to safety, stability, and overall wellbeing.
Vanessa
Launch Housing
A Custom Solution for Critical Connection
The critical nature of Launch Housing's work required a solution that wasn't just about technology, but about people.
The first step was deep analysis of each site's unique layout. The Aussie Broadband team mapped network dead spots and redesigned the Wi-Fi configuration to extend from common areas into residents' physical dwellings. This ensured residents would be able to use the internet in the privacy of their own rooms.
The physical challenges of installation at the sites were supported by specialist trade organisations including Auswide. A fully managed Fortinet SASE solution including FortiGate firewalls was deployed to help ensure security and performance. Onsite hardware was modernised by introducing new networking kits and decommissioning Launch Housing’s legacy PBX system in favour of an Operator Connect solution. This evolution was made possible with commercial support from our partners at Fortinet, who recognised the importance of supporting a not-for-profit organisation.
Aussie Helping Aussies
The impact of the new network was immediate and profound. Launch Housing gained a robust, secure and scalable network tailored to the specific needs of each site.
Large sites received enterprise fibre and NBN TC-4 backup.
Medium sites were equipped with fibre services and 4G backup.
Small sites gained TC-4 connectivity with 4G backup.
This tiered approach ensured efficient, cost-effective connectivity across the board. The backup systems provided vital redundancy with the FortiGate security layer helping to protecting Launch Housing’s sensitive data. Most importantly, residents received private access to reliable internet for essential services, telehealth, education and to connect with family.
Launch Housing’s team gained optimised infrastructure that enabled them to work more efficiently and securely. It’s a powerful example of how the right technology can help build a foundation for a better future.
“When you’re involved in a project like this and see the impact it has on people, that’s why you come to work. That’s why you do what you do.”
Steve
Aussie Broadband
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