The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $250 million to boost mobile reception in the bush in small communities, tourism hotspots and along key transport corridors through the Mobile Coverage Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the program would drive better coverage and better choice for communities.
“This is an opportunity for communities with identified black spots to seek to have this serious issue rectified, ensuring we are all better connected.”
The new program will target three key areas:
- Small regional communities with little to no existing coverage;
- Key transport corridors, where a boost to coverage can help drive increased productivity and improved safety; and
- Visitor economies where major events draw large crowds.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government had already invested in more than 120 mobile towers across regional NSW to boost coverage in known blackspot areas.
“Over the last three years, we’ve done the hard yards to ensure every dollar we invest in telecommunications infrastructure goes further and delivers more for regional communities,” Mr Toole said.
“Our $250 million investment in this program shifts away from traditional ‘one tower, one provider’ model thinking in favour of a nation-leading approach to deliver shared infrastructure available for use by all carriers.
“This is the first program of its kind in Australia – and it’s further evidence of the future-focused approach that the NSW Liberal and Nationals are taking in Government.”
The Mobile Coverage project is part of the Regional Digital Connectivity program and funded through the Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund. For more information, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/connectregionalnsw
