Minister for Regional Services, Senator Bridget McKenzie has congratulated Telstra as it switches on its 500th Mobile base station as part of the Federal Government’s $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program.
Minister McKenzie said Clarence was just one of the hundreds of towns across Australia to benefit from the Government’s commitment to improve mobile coverage in the regions.
“The local community which identified the mobile phone blackspot in the past is now receiving new and improved coverage that will help locals stay in touch with friends and family, and do business,” Minister McKenzie said.
The Program has funded a total of 867 new base stations under the first three rounds. This represents a total new investment of over $680 million into regional telecommunications including co-contributions from the mobile carriers, state and local governments, as well as businesses and community organisations.
With the first three rounds on the way to completion by June 2019, the Government recently announced that $25 million has been allocated to a fourth round of the program.
To support round 4, the Government recently re-opened the National Mobile Black Spot Database for nominations from local, state and territory governments, Federal Senators and Federal Members of Parliament. The database closes on 11 October 2018. The competitive assessment process for round 4 is expected to commence later this year.
For more information on the program and the re-opening of the Database visit the Mobile Black Spot Program page.