Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he is very pleased to announce Round 3 Mobile Black Spots sites Robertstown and Bute/Alford will soon have mobile phone reception with Telstra committing to jointly funding towers in the two locations.
“The tender process for these sites took place late last year after Robertstown and Bute/Alford were announced as part of the Government’s priority location round of funding,” he said.
“I am pleased that process has been completed and I welcome Telstra’s continued investment in our regions. Now I am pleased the rollout of the towers can begin.”
“The first of the base stations are expected to be rolled out by the end of this year.
“This announcement delivers on the Coalition’s commitment to address the coverage issues identified at Robertstown and Bute/Alford.
“The funding for these priority locations will also provide for at least 12 hours of back-up power at each macro base station to help ensure mobile coverage is not lost in the event of a power outage.”
Telstra’s Area General Manager for South Australia, Mark Bolton, says the announcement today will help deliver improved coverage to regional Australia.
“Under Round 3 of this program, Telstra will be constructing an additional six mobile base station sites in South Australia and 89 sites across Australia,” he said.
“We know the important role mobile technology plays in helping people stay in contact with friends and family, and run businesses effectively.
Nationally this program has already helped Telstra expand regional mobile coverage by 160,000 square kilometres. We look forward to providing improved coverage to these locations in the near future.”
106 priority locations across Australia will benefit from improved mobile phone coverage. Optus, Telstra and Vodafone will build 102 new base stations across the nation under the Priority Location round.
Mr Ramsey said the new coverage would open up opportunities for local businesses and the community, enabling them to access the same mobile services as those in major cities.
“Under the Coalition’s Mobile Black Spot program 21 sites have been delivered funding with 12 towers already complete through the first two rounds of the program,” he said.
“This will see local businesses and residents in the area benefit from access to 21st century communications.”
Minister for Regional Communications, Bridget McKenzie said construction of the new mobile phone towers will get underway soon.
“We’ve committed $220 million to improve mobile black spots across our vast country. $60 million of this funding is targeting priority black spot areas with poor or no mobile coverage, like in Grey,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Only the Coalition understands the importance of modern telecommunications for our regional communities, and has implemented a plan to deliver. I’m excited to reach this next milestone of the Mobile Black Spot Program and look forward to seeing the first base stations under this round completed later this year.”
The Coalition Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program is improving mobile coverage across Australia including along major regional transport routes, in small communities and at identified priority locations. More than 456 locations across Australia have already received new or improved coverage through rounds 1 and 2 of the program.
The base station rollout schedules for all three rounds of the program will be available on the Telstra, Optus and Vodafone websites.
More information about the program and a list of the priority locations is available at: communications.gov.au/mbsp
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
April 4 2018
