WILLIAM CREEK RESIDENTS RECEIVE MOBILE RECEPTION FOR FIRST TIME

Satellite small cell site to be co-funded by Optus, South Australian and Federal Governments.

Optus has announced the launch of a satellite small cell site at William Creek, South Australia, providing mobile reception to the town and its immediate surrounds. The site is Optus’ first to launch as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

The site also signals the first time that the town has had mobile reception, located just over 1,000 kilometers from Adelaide on the Oodnadatta Track, gateway to Lake Eyre.

The town will be serviced by a satellite small cell, which provides a cost effective and flexible alternative to a traditional mobile tower, using satellite connectivity and backhaul to deliver mobile coverage to a concentrated local area in rural, remote and previously unserviced locations.

Vin Mullins, Manager of Mobile Access Planning at Optus said, “We are pleased to be a part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program and to be able to deliver crucial telecommunications infrastructure to regional and remote areas across Australia, like William Creek.

“We’re constantly working to connect people and places from all corners of Australia and to be able to connect William Creek today is something of which we are incredibly proud,” Mr Mullins said.

The site will be located on existing infrastructure within William Creek, with coverage expected to cover a radius of approximately three kilometers. The satellite small cell operates like a traditional 3G mobile base station providing people within the area the ability to make calls and text on the go and offers access to mobile data.

“We fully support the work that the Mobile Black Spot Program is undertaking. Co-investment across sites in regional Australia allows us to expand our investment even further and reach areas that we otherwise may not have been able to.

“We thank all Governments for investing in such a crucial program that helps to provide those living in remote and regional areas access to reliable mobile coverage,” Mr Mullins said.

The site forms part of an investment of over $8.5 million from Optus, South Australian and Federal Governments to improve mobile coverage across regional and remote areas in South Australia.

Additional sites set to roll out across South Australia as part of this program include: Beltana Station; Blinman; Coward Springs; Farm Beach; Innamincka; Mindarie; Parchilna Pub; Parawa; Rawnsley Park; Maree; Puntabie; Stokes Bay; Winninowie and Wynarka.

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Federal Minister for Regional Communications, Senator the Hon Fiona Nash

Federal Minister for Regional Communications, Senator the Hon Fiona Nash said: “The Coalition understands the importance of mobile coverage for business, tourism, agriculture and keeping in touch with family and friends.

“The Mobile Black Spot Program will deliver better mobile coverage to people in rural, regional and remote Australia, and I’m delighted that Optus has been able to hit the ground running in its delivery of these improvements.

“When Government invests in regional communities, it gives those communities confidence.

“The best results are always achieved working in partnership and that’s what we’ve done – with state and territory governments, local councils, community organisations, local businesses and the major telcos,” finished Minister Nash.

South Australia’s Minister for Tourism, the Hon Leon Bignell

South Australia’s Minister for Tourism the Hon Leon Bignell said: “We know mobile coverage is important for businesses to operate effectively as well as the safety of people living in our regions.

Tourists also expect mobile coverage during their travels, and the decision by Optus to service William Creek is fantastic.

It also means they can share photographs and footage of their spectacular Outback experiences on social media and gain valuable exposure for the region.

There is no better recommendation than from a friend and social media allows people to let the world know how wonderful our outback is.

The State Government is committed to working to improve mobile coverage and competition in regional areas and we will continue to advocate for more base stations to be built in the State.

We encourage other phone operators to consider how they will service these up-and-coming travel destinations,” Minister Bignell said.

Media enquiries:

Michelle Pacey

Optus Corporate Affairs

Tel: (02) 8082 7850