Optus has switched on a new tower at Cootharaba Road in Cootharaba as part of the Australian Governments Mobile Black Spot Program which the Queensland State Government has also contributed funding towards. The new tower will provide our best Optus coverage to the area and connectivity to the regional community.
The Optus mobile tower will provide enhanced mobile coverage to 642 premises with 97 sq kms covered helping to ensure essential communication services during critical times, like bushfire season, and helping those living and working in the area to stay connected.
Mungo OBrien, Optus Territory General Manager for Wide Bay, said that Optus continues to provide mobile competition and choice to regional and rural Queensland.
Mr OBrien said, Were thrilled to be able to offer our customers with 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 improved 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 Federal Governments Mobile Black Spot Program, and we recognise the work of the Federal and State Governments, local businesses and communities for their support of this Program.
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 more reliable mobile coverage and high-quality internet added Mr OBrien.
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.
This is just one of more than 1,270 new mobile base stations funded under the program to date, with more than 980 of these base stations now on air, including 204 in Queensland. I am delighted to see this rollout continue.
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O'Brien said the new tower would support a significant number of people in the Wide Bay community.
More than 640 premises will have access to more reliable coverage, including local businesses, improving their connection for telephone calls and data use such as social media or shopping online, Mr OBrien said.
Crucially, it also helps improve a much-needed upgrade to local connectivity during a natural disaster or power outage, and with many travellers visiting this region for holidays, it will improve the quality of coverage available if they need to call back home.
Queensland Minister for Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Government is committed to advocating for improved telecommunications connectivity across Queensland.
Mobile coverage is critical for people living, working and travelling outside major cities, she said.
The Palaszczuk Government continues to partner with the private sector and the Federal Government to expand coverage to support public safety, local businesses, education, tourism, and much more.
Our Government has invested $139,090 in this project to bring greater connectivity to the region around Cootharaba Road as part of a commitment of over $23 million to the Mobile Black Spot Program overall.
Optus continues to invest to improve coverage, reliability, and speed across its mobile network with this new tower providing a competitive telecommunications alternative for local 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.
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