In another boost for mobile communications in the bush, Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, announced the switch of three more mobile base stations across our region.
These new mobile base stations at Manilla, Barraba and Fossickers Way were completed by Vodafone. They are the latest of 37 sites across the New England to receive new or improved mobile coverage under the Coalition Government’s $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program.
It follows the completion in August of three additional Vodafone base stations at Warral, Piallamore and Duri in the Tamworth region, as well as new Telstra towers at Rocky Creek, Tabulam, Koreelah and Dungowan.
“This is real infrastructure, real investment being delivered in the New England electorate to make sure regional communities like ours can provide residents and businesses with the mobile coverage they need and deserve,” Mr Joyce said.
“We have additional towers coming online soon and I’m continuing to push for more communications services at more locations across the electorate including at places like the Upper Horton and Blue Mountain which remain high priorities of mine.”
Federal Minister for Sport, Rural Health and Regional Communications, Senator Bridget McKenzie, said the program is delivering real benefits to regional Australia.
“It’s exciting to watch the pace of the rollout, knowing that the progress we are making each month is delivering real benefits to regional and remote communities across the country,” Minister McKenzie said.
Vodafone Regional Manager, Rhys Morgan, said Vodafone remains committed increasing mobile coverage for regional Australia.
“Vodafone has significantly increased its mobile coverage footprint across the New England region as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program and we’re pleased to continue that with the new sites near Barraba, Manilla and Fossickers Way. As part of the program to date, we have added more than 2400 square kilometres of 4G coverage in New England, bringing more choice and more connectivity to communities across the region,” Mr Morgan said.
The Coalition has committed $25 million in funding for a fourth round of the Mobile Black Spot Program, which is the most significant one-time increase in mobile network coverage to regional and remote Australia delivered by a single public funding program in the history of mobile communications.
(ENDS)