The Department of Communications and the Arts has announced the next round of 125 mobile phone black spots to be singled out for improved coverage.
Under the Department’s Mobile Black Spot Program, telcos Optus, Telstra and Vodafone are to receive $45.6 million to build 102 new base stations.
“The funding for these priority locations will also provide for at least 12 hours of back-up power at each macro base station to help ensure mobile coverage is not lost in the event of a power outage,” the Department said.
It said the first of the base stations would be rolled out by the end of this year.
Minister for Regional Communications, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the 102 new locations were in addition to 19 already being addressed.
“I am also pleased to announce that Optus and Telstra have recognised the coverage issues identified at four priority locations and advised that they will address these issues commercially,” Senator McKenzie said.
She said rounds one and two of the Mobile Black Spot Program had already delivered new or improved coverage to 456 locations across Australia, providing handheld phone coverage to more than 86,000 square kilometres of land mass.
She said when the new round was complete it would take the total to 867 locations.
The full list of new priority locations can be accessed at the Department’s website at this PS News link.
