MOBILE phone coverage south of Penola was given a significant boost this week as the switch was flicked on the new Tower Road base station.
Jointly funded by the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, the South Australian Government and Telstra, the new 3G and 4GX infrastructure is expected to provide over 17 square kilometres of improved coverage near and around the Riddoch Highway, Millers Lane and Tower Road.
Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said new mobile base station reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to further improving connectivity in the regions.
“This significant investment as part of the Mobile Black Spot Program means that people living, working and travelling in the Limestone Coast will now have better mobile coverage,” Mr Pasin said.
“This is especially important following last summer’s devastating bushfires,” he added.
“My constituents raised the issue of poor service me as I travel around this region and I’m pleased to be part of a government that is listening and delivering.”
Telstra South Australian regional general manager Mark Bolton said macro cell base station would extend coverage in the area, filling existing coverage gaps.
“Mobile connectivity plays a major role in connecting friends and families, businesses, farms, tourist spots and essential services across Australia,” Mr Bolton said.
The first five rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program are funding more than 1200 mobile base stations around Australia, with more than 880 of these already on air and providing much needed mobile connectivity to rural and regional areas.
