Baldersleigh and Aberfoyle will benefit from one of five new mobile base stations which have been announced to improve mobile coverage under round two of the government’s Mobile Black Spot Programme.
The community falls into among 577 mobile black spots across Australia that are connecting to Australia’s leading mobile network under both rounds of the MBSP, involving more than $486 million worth of investment by Telstra, the Federal and State Governments and a number of local councils.
Telstra Area General Manager Mike Marom said delivering expanded mobile coverage was part of a $1 billion plan to expand and improve mobile services in rural and regional Australia over the next four to five years.
“As the carrier with the nation’s largest mobile footprint and the first to bring 4G mobile services to regional Australia, we know that increased coverage is the number one priority for people and businesses in regional Australia and we are excited to now be delivering coverage to even more communities,” Mr Marom said.
“We have already rolled out expanded coverage to numerous locations across the state and the nation under the MBSP and it’s fair to say it’s been a game-changer for those communities.
“Thousands of people in rural and regional areas can now talk with family, friends and run their businesses more effectively through Telstra’s 4GX service, bringing you the fastest 4G speeds on your 4GX device in Australia.
“The improved coverage will increase access to new technologies for key regional sectors like agriculture, transport, mining and tourism – technologies which rely on a fast, reliable and affordable mobile network.”
Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said he was very pleased to announce new coverage for Baldersleigh, Koreelah, Pinkett, Mount Hourigan at Aberfoyle and Doughboy Mountain near Wongwibinda.
“Mobile coverage for the New England electorate is something I have worked hard for and will continue to work hard, pushing out into the edges of my electorate,” he said.
“The five new towers that have been announced today [on Friday] will bring to total of towers for the Electorate to 36 since I was elected the MP.
“The Baldersleigh tower was pledged during the Election Campaign under round three of the Programme, but I am pleased to say, it has been promoted to round two.”
The locations of all of the 266 base stations can be found on the national map at www.nationalmap.gov.au.
