Digital connection in Adelaide’s north eastern suburbs will receive a boost today with the switching on of a new mobile telecommunications tower at Little Para Pass.
The new site is one of 29 new mobile base stations across South Australia being established under round 4 of the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP). The Little Para Pass site has been jointly funded by the Marshall Liberal Government and Telstra.
Federal Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, the Hon Mark Coulton MP said, “Our highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program has seen a total investment to date of $52.4 million in South Australia alone. This includes $18.6 million from the Commonwealth to deliver up to 83 new mobile base stations across the state, with 49 of these base stations complete and on air.”
“We continue to invest in the Program, in partnership with the telcos, state and local governments, to ensure residents and visitors to places such as Little Para Pass can access vital communications services for safety, checking in with family and friends, sharing content and conducting business.”
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said digital connection is vital for regional communities.
“The Marshall Liberal Government has long-recognised the importance of effective telecommunications as critical infrastructure for our rural and regional communities,” Minister Basham said.
“Mobile phone coverage and connectivity is vital for people living in regional and remote areas, especially now as we move into the bushfire season with residents heavily reliant on mobile coverage to stay connected.
“It is why we 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 state’s 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.”
Member for King Paula Luethen said the new phone tower at Little Para Pass will be welcomed by the local community.
“Fixing the Telstra mobile black spot here at Little Para Pass is another step in strengthening mobile phone services and connecting local families and businesses to the world,” Ms Luethen said.
“A reliable mobile phone service makes a significant difference for families, individuals and businesses.
“This will open up new economic opportunities for those in the area and increase safety.”
Regional General Manager for Telstra in South Australia Mark Bolton said keeping connected with family and friends is important for all Australians.
“Mobile connectivity plays a major role in connecting friends and families, businesses, farms, tourist spots and essential services across Australia,” he said.
“The site will support Telstra’s current coverage in the area and provide additional connectivity to approximately 10 square kilometres of difficult hilly terrain, including the Little Para Reservoir and several local roads, including sections of One Tree Hill Road and Hannaford Hump Road.
“Telstra has built 68 mobile base stations in SA under the Mobile Black Spot Program so far and also funded numerous small cell base stations for remote communities to deliver high speed 4G data services and mobile voice services.”
The South Australian Mobile Phone Black Spot Fund has contributed directly to addressing 42 mobile phone black spot locations in regional South Australia and our investment has helped leverage 52 towers since March 2018.
This outcome represents a total State Government investment of more than $8.88 million in mobile infrastructure in regional and remote South Australia from the $10 million Mobile Phone Black Spot Fund.
