January 13, 2014
The Federal Government is seeking feedback from South Burnett residents on how to best structure the $100 million regional mobile coverage program, the first step towards improved mobile coverage in many areas of Australia.
Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said a discussion paper released by the Department of Communications was an opportunity for local residents and community leaders to provide input on the program, which aims to fix mobile phone “black spots”.
The discussion paper is available from the Department of Communications’ website
Submissions close on February 28.
“Inadequate mobile phone coverage is a significant concern for regional communities,” Mr O’Dowd said.
“Lives can literally depend on accessing mobile phone networks in emergencies, so expanding mobile phone coverage has clear benefits to public safety – as well as to the productive capacity of regional communities.
“Unfortunately, Kevin Rudd abolished the previous Coalition government’s $2.4 billion fund to upgrade communications in rural, regional and remote parts of Australia.
“The Coalition made an election commitment to invest $100 million to improve mobile phone coverage in outer metropolitan, regional and remote communities.
“The government expects to leverage at least an additional $100 million in investment from the mobile phone carriers and other parties.”
The funding has two elements:
- The $80 million Mobile Network Expansion Project will improve mobile coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in areas that are prone to experiencing natural disasters;
- The $20 million Mobile Black Spot Project will improve mobile coverage in locations with unique coverage problems such as areas with high demand for services.
