Western VIC rollout of Mobile Black Spot Programme continues apace

16 June 2016

• Telstra switches on six new mobile base stations in past few weeks

Thousands of Telstra customers have had their call for better mobile coverage answered with a number of new mobile base stations in Western Victoria recently activated under the Mobile Black Spot Programme.

Jointly funded between Telstra, the Federal Government and the Victorian Government, the latest communities to receive new and improved coverage include Kalkee, Kewell, Boolite, Marnoo and Harrow. Mobile base stations were also switched-on in Sheep Hills and Wombelano in April.

Telstra Area General Manager Steve Tinker said the Mobile Blackspot Programme was delivering coverage to communities where previously there was limited or no coverage.

“Expanding mobile coverage to these communities is making a real difference in so many ways,” Mr Tinker said.

“We are proud to be partnering with all levels of Government to help people run their business, keep in contact with friends and family or browse the web and social media on the nation’s largest and fastest mobile network.

“Our rollout of the Programme is in full swing and we are proud to be part of such an important initiative, which is connecting so many more regional and rural communities.”

“As the first carrier to bring 4G mobile services to regional Australia, we know how important high-speed mobile can be to supporting local communities and businesses and we are excited to extend this even further to more Australians,” he said.

“Telstra already has the largest regional mobile footprint across Australia and the largest 4G coverage, and we are continuing to expand our 4G to reach 99% of the population by end 2017.”

These latest areas are among 429 mobile coverage black spots across regional and rural Australia benefitting from expanded 3G/4G mobile coverage provided by Telstra under the Mobile Black Spot Programme.

The Mobile Black Spot Programme involves investment of more than $340 million in regional and rural Australia, with $165 million from Telstra, $94.8 million from the Federal Government, $21 million from the Victorian Government and tens of millions in targeted additional funding from other State and Local Governments.

**Location of Smalls Cells to be determined based on consultation with the Federal Government.