Ten regional communities will benefit from a boost in mobile communications in the near future, thanks to the Mobile Black Spot Programme and Royalties for Regions.
The $132 million program is supported by the Federal Government and the Royalties for Regions funded Regional Telecommunications Project.
Ten regional communities will benefit from a boost in mobile communications in the near future, thanks to the Mobile Black Spot Programme and Royalties for Regions.
The $132 million program is supported by the Federal Government and the Royalties for Regions funded Regional Telecommunications Project.
It will deliver a total of 130 new or upgraded mobile base stations across Western Australia, with the first 10 mobile phone towers announced this week.
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC welcomed the funding, which will see new or upgraded phone towers constructed at a number of sites across the vast electorate.
“These sites were selected in strategic locations to deliver a significant reduction in mobile telephone and data coverage gaps across the State,” he said.
“While there is still plenty of work to do, it’s great to see real progress in improving mobile telephone and data services in regional WA.”
Mr Grills said effective communications were especially important during emergencies, and the new towers would be well received by local emergency services personnel.
“Royalties for Regions and the Federal Government are working to ensure emergency services staff and volunteers have better access to communication networks in times of crisis to better respond and render assistance in emergency situations,” he said.
Minister for Regional Development, Terry Redman MLA, said addressing mobile black spots was also important for economic development and productivity.
“Telecommunications connectivity is vital to social and economic development in regional WA and these new base stations will further break down the digital divide between regional and urban WA,” Mr Redman said.
The first 10 sites under the Mobile Black Spot Programme are all scheduled for completion by July 2016.
Royalties for Regions has invested a total of $85 million in regional telecommunications to date, including the $40 million Regional Mobile Communications Project and the $45 million Regional Telecommunications Project – delivering a total of 266 new or upgraded phone towers across regional WA.
The first 10 sites funded by the Mobile Black Spot Programme include:
- Ajana
- East Yuna
- Kununoppin
- Minilya
- Nabawa
- Naraling
- South Yuna
- Ferguson Valley
- West River
- Grass Valley
Find out more about the Regional Telecommunications Project and the Mobile Black Spot Programme.
