Improved Mobile Coverage On The Way

The Commonwealth’s co-investment with Telstra to build a new mobile base station at Blaxlands Ridge, Maraylya and Yellow Rock to improve mobile coverage subject to local planning approvals.

The new funding is delivered as part of the Improving Mobile Coverage Round.

Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP said the government had an ambitious agenda to narrow the divide in rural and regional Australia - including by improving mobile coverage.

“The Improving Mobile Coverage Round is a small part of our Government’s work to improve regional communications, and comes in addition to our $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan – the most significant investment in regional communications since the inception of the NBN,” Ms Rowland said.

These new towers mean local residents and visitors will be able to access more reliable phone coverage, helping them stay connected with family and friends, and run successful local businesses.

The local grants form part of the $37.2 million awarded under the IMCR, which attracted $28.8 million in industry co-investment.

Improved mobile coverage at Mount Tomah is being delivered through the Regional Connectivity Program.

Amplitel, on behalf of Telstra, lodged a development application on October 16.

Improved mobile coverage at Bowen Mountain is expected from the new Optus tower which received development consent on October 20 last year.

The applications were independently assessed and approved by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Art (the Department), following a competitive grant process to identify a value-for-money solution in the area.

This dedicated round was funded in the October 2022 Federal Budget and delivered on the Government’s election commitments to co-invest Mobile Network Operators and Infrastructure Providers to deploy new mobile infrastructure at target locations across Australia.

The rollout schedule will be published on the carriers’ websites once the contracts have been executed.

In addition to this dedicated election commitment round, the Government is working to improve regional coverage through its $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan.

The Plan commits $400 million to expanding mobile coverage and improving communications resilience, including investment to fund future rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program and $200 million to fund place-based communications solutions through additional rounds of the Regional Connectivity Program.

Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP said it was fantastic to see the government delivering on election commitments to ensure communities across the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury were better connected.

“I look forward to seeing the benefits flow through the community as the project is rolled out.”

Visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp for more information.

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