The Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) welcomes today’s announcement from the Federal Government which will see regional Australians benefit from 182 new mobile base stations as part of Round 5 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
Access to reliable communications is vital for Australians living in rural, regional and remote communities, especially during times of emergency.
“We saw the essential role that mobile networks play in our daily lives highlighted during the 2019/2020 bushfires which ravaged much of Eastern Australia,” said Teresa Corbin, CEO of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN).
“It’s positive to see that a number of communities impacted by these disasters will be able to access expanded mobile coverage under the latest round of the Mobile Black Spot Program.”
The RRRCC has highlighted the expansion of the Mobile Black Spot Program as one of five key goals for the bush communications coalition.
Since launching in 2016, the Mobile Black Spot Program has funded 1,229 mobile base stations, with more than 800 base station now active and providing extended mobile coverage to those outside of metropolitan regions.
The RRRCC looks forward to engaging with the Government about the future of the Mobile Black Spot Program and Round 5A.
“The Mobile Black Spot Program has been an invaluable investment into regional, rural and remote Australia and our communities,” said National Farmers’ Federation CEO Tony Mahar.
“This discussion is an important opportunity to reflect upon the future design of the program, including how it can improve mobile connectivity in disaster-prone regions and along major transport corridors across the nation.”
