Have your say on Coalition’s $100 million mobile phone black spot program design
17th December, 2013
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, today invited feedback from communities in Wide Bay on the new Australian Government’s $100 million regional mobile coverage programme, to improve mobile telephone coverage in under serviced areas.“The program will have two components, an $80 million Mobile Network Expansion Project to improve coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in disaster-prone areas, and a $20 million Mobile Black Spot Project to improve mobile coverage in locations with unique coverage problems,” Mr Truss said.
“Inadequate mobile phone coverage is a significant concern for regional communities. Lives can depend on being able to access mobile phone networks in emergencies, so these upgrades are of real importance to these communities.
“I have long campaigned for the extension of the mobile phone network to places like Widgee in Wide Bay.
“I have written to the former communications minister, as well as the CEO of Telstra, and I have tabled a petition in the Parliament to highlight the need for Widgee to be added to the mobile phone network.
“Apart from the increased amenity that mobile phone coverage offers, Widgee has suffered from recurrent flood events and people within this community have found it impossible in extreme weather to raise alarms to alert the emergency services that help is needed.
“I would also like to see the mobile telephone network extended to cover black spots along the Cooloola Coast Road, and to sections of the Wide Bay Highway, particularly between Gympie and Kilkivan, Kilkivan and Goomeri and Goomeri and Murgon.”
“I strongly urge people in mobile phone black spot areas to engage in the discussion paper process, to ensure that our electorate receives its fair share of the funding,” Mr Truss said.
A discussion paper on the new scheme is available from the Department of Communications’ website at http://www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme
The closing date for submissions is 5:00pm 28 February 2014.
