Member for Barker Tony Pasin is encouraging residents to have their say on the design of the next round of the Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) to ensure it continues to improve mobile phone coverage for regional communities.

The Federal Government has released a discussion paper on design options for Round 5A, to test a range of new approaches to the delivery of the Mobile Black Spot Program to ensure it continues to be fit-for-purpose.

Mr Pasin said that while the program has already delivered a great deal for regional communities he was hopeful that the program could be improved to ensure more benefit was delivered.

“The first five rounds of the MBSP have generated more than $830 million total investment, funding 1,229 new towers, with more than 800 of those already delivering improved coverage.

“The Coalition Government understands the importance of connectivity to regional communities, which is why the program is helping to fund more phone towers to deliver more coverage”.

Mr Pasin said the discussion paper is a great opportunity for regional Australians to have their say on how the program can best deliver the mobile coverage they need into the future.

“With $46 million on the table for Round 5A and a further $80 million committed for Round 6, the MBSP has plenty more to do. Let’s make sure we do it the best we can,” Mr Pasin said.

The discussion paper proposes a series of changes to the eligibility guidelines for the program so that it delivers high-value outcomes to regional and remote Australia.

The paper proposes three main objectives for round 5A; to:

  • Improve coverage in areas prone to natural disasters including bushfires;
  • Improve coverage along major regional and remote transport corridors; and to
  • Trial new technology solutions in areas where low population densities have discouraged applications in previous rounds.

To read the discussion paper and to have your say, visit: https://bit.ly/2yUkJk4

The discussion paper is open for submissions until 19 June 2020.