Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce has increased pressure on the Federal Government to improve telecommunications in the electorate, following the closure of the 3G network.

Mr Joyce said he has held meetings with the Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland and Telstra management to highlight the dire situation in towns such as Bundarra, where businesses and residents are suffering from a lack of connectivity.

“It’s not good enough,” Mr Joyce said.

“Businesses need to connect to do business.

“Family and friends need to communicate, especially as we approach Christmas and the New Year, while in times of emergency, communications are essential.

“If we have an emergency, which cannot be appropriately addressed through a lack of communications, the Federal Government will need to take responsibility.

“My office has received numerous complaints about poor mobile phone and data services, including EFTPOS in Bundarra and other locations, such as Nullamanna, Willow Tree, Murrurundi, Cameron’s Creek and Mount Mitchell, following the closure of the 3G network.

“I am very concerned about the many incoming reports of poor, or non-existent mobile services, since the 3G network has closed, and have been making numerous representations to Telstra on behalf of residents and business owners who have been contacting my office,” Mr Joyce said.

“To escalate a response to these concerns, I met with Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland and Telstra representatives last week to highlight the plight of local communities.”

“I am closely monitoring the situation, while maintaining pressure on the Federal Government to act promptly to resolve these issues,” Mr Joyce said.

Mr Joyce noted that Round 3 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP) is currently open for applications by the telco industry to fund resilience upgrades to mobile telecommunications infrastructure to reduce the risk of outages and improve restoration times after a natural disaster. 

Communities have the opportunity to identify potential projects or locations which would benefit from a Resilience Upgrade via their local council, state or federal parliamentarians, but only have until 13 December 2024 to do so.

Similarly, communities currently have the opportunity to identify mobile black spots via their local council, state or federal parliamentarians ahead of Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP).

Round 8 is scheduled to open during December which will co-fund projects with mobile carriers and tower companies that deliver new and improved mobile coverage and competition in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia that are prone to natural disasters, including bushfires, cyclones and floods. 

The nomination of potential sites will close three weeks after applications for Round 8 open.

Information regarding the MNHP is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/mnhp and details regarding Round 8 of the MBSP are online at www.infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp