Optus has switched on a tower in Brinkworth as part of the Australian Governments Mobile Black Spot Program, which the South Australian State Government has also contributed funding towards, providing extended Optus coverage to the area and connectivity to the community.
The Optus mobile tower in Brinkworth will provide enhanced mobile coverage to 150 premises with 40 sq kms covered including 12kms of major roads and rail.
Rob Seymour, Optus Territory General Manager for regional South Australia is thrilled to be providing regional and rural South Australians with mobile competition and choice.
Were thrilled to be able to offer our customers much-needed access to our fast 4G service. We know how important reliable internet access is for those living and working across regional Australia.
This tower will provide our customers with greater connectivity while living, working and driving through the region by unlocking access to communication and helping to facilitate contact with family and friends throughout the country.
The investment in expanding Optus telecommunications infrastructure and mobile coverage is supported by the Australian Governments Mobile Black Spot Program, and we recognise the work of the Federal and State Governments, local businesses and communities for their support.
This new tower will also allow competition and choice for local businesses and residents by offering our best network ever at a great value. We are committed to giving our customers access to reliable mobile coverage and high-quality internet added Mr Seymour.
Minister for Regional Communications, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said the activation of the new tower was part of the Liberal and National Governments commitment to support regional areas.
The Liberal and Nationals Governments priority is to provide Australians with better access to reliable communication services, which is why we have committed $380 million to the Mobile Black Spot Program to improve mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote communities, Minister McKenzie said.
The Brinkworth tower is just one of more than 1,270 new mobile base stations funded under the program to date. There are now more than 985 of these base stations on air, including 63 in South Australia, supporting many residents, businesses, and communities across the country.
Federal Member for Grey, Mr Rowan Ramsey MP, said the new tower would bring a number of benefits to residents and visitors alike.
Ensuring people have access to reliable coverage is a real game-changer for our region, Mr Ramsey said.
This tower will also ensure visitors to our region are able to easily connect with loved ones back home. I am looking forward to seeing how residents can take advantage of this investment in local infrastructure.
SA Minister for Regional Development, David Basham, said, Mobile phone coverage and connectivity is vital for people living in regional and remote areas for both safety and economic development. It is why the Marshall Liberal Government established the $10 million Mobile Phone Black Spot Fund to assist in addressing mobile phone black spots which had been ignored by the previous Labor Government.
Our regions contribute around $25 billion a year to the states economy and effective mobile and internet connectivity is a major factor in continuing to attract investment, new business opportunities and people into our regional and rural areas of the state, Minister Basham said.
Optus continues to invest to improve coverage, reliability, and speed across its mobile network, with this new tower providing a competitive telecommunications alternative for residents and businesses.
ABOUT THE MOBILE BLACK SPOT PROGRAM
The Mobile Black Spot Program is an Australian Government initiative to improve and extend mobile phone coverage and increase competition in regional and remote Australia.
The Australian Government has committed $380 million to this Program, which has been supported by State Governments, local governments, businesses, community organisations and telecommunications providers.
As part of the Australian Governments Mobile Black Spot Program, Optus has been awarded funding for 256 sites in regional and remote parts of Australia.
