The Andrews Labor Government is improving mobile connectivity for Victorians living and working in more than 1,200 suburbs and towns.
In partnership with five telco providers the Labor Government will invest more than $250 million to deliver 1,108 mobile infrastructure projects, with residents, businesses and visitors to benefit from better mobile coverage across 23,500 square kilometres – the equivalent of more than 1,100 MCGs.
More than 2.4 million homes and businesses will benefit from towns and suburbs include Maryborough, Mount Buller, Clyde North, Craigieburn, Bairnsdale, Toongabbie, Bright, Teesdale, Arnold and Drysdale.
Some of these areas will also see networks upgraded to 5G sooner than planned.
Together with Axicom, ENE.HUB, Optus, Telstra and TPG Telecom, the Government will build 309 new mobile towers, upgrade 492 towers to 5G, adapt 170 towers so they can be used by multiple telco providers and make 137 towers more resilient during natural disasters, all by 2026.
Mobile connectivity plays a critical role in the lives of Victorians, providing access to healthcare, education, flexible working and emergency information and services.
At many sites, the telecommunications providers have agreed to share infrastructure, which will give more Victorians a choice of mobile provider, helping make data costs affordable.
More than 700 of the projects will be delivered in regional and rural locations.
This investment is part of the $550 million Connecting Victoria program to fast-track better mobile and broadband in as many places as possible.
Connecting Victoria has already announced $27.5 million in grants for mobile projects with Optus and TPG to deliver new mobile towers or upgrades from 4G to 5G in high-growth areas, and $73 million to provide broadband upgrades to 54 locations across the state
To find out more, visit vic.gov.au/connectingvictoriaExternal Link.
As stated by Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford
“This massive program will make Victoria the best-connected state, helping local businesses create the jobs and industries of the future.“
“Over two million households will have faster speeds for healthcare, school, work and staying in touch with loved ones.”
