Reliable mobile coverage will reach more regional communities across Australia thanks to the Morrison Government’s announcement of an additional $160 million for two new funding rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
This new $160 million commitment will bring the Morrison Government’s total commitment to addressing regional and remote mobile coverage issues to $380 million.
Member for Barker Tony Pasin welcomed today’s announcement of a fifth and sixth round of funding for the highly successful program, which will deliver new base stations and better coverage to those areas that need it most.
“I’ve been fighting for additional rounds of funding for the Mobile Blackspot Program so this is a great win,” Mr Pasin said.
“A further two rounds will benefit thousands of Australians in regional and remote areas, including the communities in Barker crying out for improvement.”
“This new investment in regional mobile phone infrastructure reaffirms our commitment to regional communications,” Mr Pasin.
Under the latest round announced (Round four), 180 new base stations will be deployed across Australia, including 73 base stations specifically targeting coverage issues at public interest sites.
Over the first four rounds, the Mobile Black Spot Program is already delivering 1047 new base stations nationally from $220 million in Commonwealth funding. This has generated a total new investment of over $760 million of regional and remote mobile infrastructure including contributions from state and local governments, mobile network operators, businesses and community organisations.
Base stations under the first three rounds are expected to be operational by 30 June 2019. Round 4 base stations are expected to rollout shortly with the first new base stations being activated by the second half of the year.
More information about the program is available at: www.communications.gov.au/mbsp
Media contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466
