Rural and Regional Australians will now have better access to information on the rollout of round one of the Australian Government’s $160 million Mobile Black Spot Programme.
A new website, launched by Telstra, provides detail on the construction status and timing of the 429 new or upgraded mobile base stations being constructed by Telstra under the programme.
The website provides an indicative activation schedule for individual base stations, presented on a national map. The website includes a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section, providing members of the public with useful information on how Telstra is conducting the rollout.
Users can find a range of data on a specific construction site, or search for base stations which have been funded under the programme in their local area. Data on construction and activation progress will be regularly updated.
Member for Farrer, Sussan Ley said that the new website would allow people in Farrer to check on the rollout of the Mobile Back Spot Programme.
“This new website will provide information and updates to keep the public informed about this programme, which is dramatically improving mobile phone reception across our region.”
“The Australian Government is determined to boost mobile phone coverage across regional and rural Australia, and the Mobile Black Spot Programme is an ongoing demonstration of that commitment,” Ms Ley said.
The launch of the new website follows the Australian Government’s recent announcement of the first 78 mobile base stations funded under round one of the programme scheduled to be activated by the end of June 2016.
The Australian Government has committed $100 million to round one of the programme, which will deliver 499 new or upgraded mobile base stations across Australia. This funding commitment was supplemented by co-contributions from Telstra ($165 million) and Vodafone ($20 million), as well as substantial co-contributions from State and local governments and third parties. Overall, round one of the programme will see more than $385 million invested to improve mobile phone services in rural and regional Australia.
An additional $60 million has also been made available for round two of the programme, with the competitive selection process for round two having commenced on February 26. The locations of new or upgraded base stations to be funded under round two are expected to be announced by the end of 2016.
Telstra’s new mobile black spot website is available at www.telstra.com/blackspots.
For more information about the Mobile Black Spot Programme visit www.communications.gov.au/mobile_coverage.
