Residents and visitors to Jamberoo and Worrigee are enjoying improved mobile coverage and connectivity with two new Telstra mobile base stations switched on.
The infrastructure was built by Telstra as part of the Mobile Black Spot Program’s Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR), with funding provided by Telstra and the Albanese Labor Government.
Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said completion of the new base stations was fantastic news.
“I’ve been contacted by residents and business owners concerned about the unreliable phone coverage in Worrigee and Jamberoo and I’ve worked closely with Telstra to improve connectivity in those areas,” she said.
“The new sites mean local residents and visitors will be able to access more reliable phone coverage, helping them stay connected with family and friends. It’s also super important for local businesses in both townships.
“The Albanese Labor Government is working to improve regional coverage and communications resilience because it’s crucial for Australians to stay connected, especially in regional areas like the South Coast.
“And, after being hit with a string of natural disasters, we know mobile connectivity is absolutely vital during times of natural disasters,” she said.
Telstra’s Regional Engagement Manager for the ACT & Southern NSW Christina Cawkell said network data confirmed how important mobile connectivity was for Australians.
“Over the past five years to the end of FY24, network traffic on Telstra’s mobile network has increased by approximately three and a half times and continues to grow by 20 per cent per annum,” she said.
“Co-investment programs such as this, where carriers like Telstra and the government work together to share the cost in bringing new coverage in regional and rural locations, are really important in helping deliver great connectivity outcomes.”
Telstra is partnering with the Commonwealth Government to fund the construction or upgrade of 271 sites across 159 projects around Australia, from transmission, coverage, and capacity upgrades plus construction of new macro or small cell mobile base stations in blackspot areas.
“As a company, we heavily invest in improving regional connectivity and these two sites are examples of our commitment in Gilmore,” Ms Cawkell said.
For more information on the Regional Connectivity Program visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp
