Mobile coverage switched on for Urbenville

15 Mar 2019

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has welcomed the switch on of a new mobile base station in Urbenville, delivered under the Liberal Nationals Government’s $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program.

 

The new mobile base station was completed by Telstra and is the latest of 37 sites across the New England to receive new or improved mobile coverage under the program.

 

“It is important that people in the New England have access to reliable mobile service whether that’s for safety on the road, running a business from the farm gate, or even just catching up with a neighbour,” Mr Joyce said.

 

“The new base station at Urbenville is one of many across the electorate which I fought for and now delivering.

 

“Just like the new towers at Koreelah, Bonshaw and Tabulam which are already live and in use, the new infrastructure at Urbenville is now also providing more service, increased coverage and a better standard of living for people in all corners of the New England.”

 

Minister for Regional Services, Local Government and Decentralisation, Bridget McKenzie, said the Mobile Black Spot Program is enabling mobile carriers to service areas where it would otherwise not have been economically viable.

 

“It’s fantastic to see that the program is reaching more and more communities across Australia, like Urbenville,” Minister McKenzie said.

 

“This program is delivering much needed new investment in mobile infrastructure across Australia to address mobile coverage issues.”

 

Under the first two rounds of the program, a total of 765 new base stations will be delivered to address black spots in every state and territory. An additional 125 priority locations were identified in round 3, including four in the New England at Copeton Dam, Fig Tree Hill, Kingstown and Baldersleigh near Guyra.

 

The Coalition Government has committed a further $25 million for a fourth round of the program. An announcement on these locations will be made soon.

 

More information about the program and the rollout schedule is available at: communications.gov.au/mbsp

 

 (ENDS)

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