Optus switches on a new tower in Redesdale to tackle Mobile Blackspot

Residents and businesses in the town of Redesdale, Central Victoria are enjoying improved coverage and connectivity thanks to Optus switching on a new tower as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

The new site is being co-funded by Optus and the Federal and Victorian Governments as part of round 2 of the program. Coverage from the site, which is co-located on an existing tower along Knight Road, will enable more than 175 residences to experience improved Optus coverage when making and receiving calls, texts and browsing the internet.

The site will deliver more than 100 square kilometres of dedicated Optus mobile coverage to Redesdale and the surrounding area for the first time, including enhanced coverage to 37 kilometres of major connecting roads.

Andrew Sheridan, Optus’ Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs said, “We are thrilled to be bringing much-needed coverage to Redesdale and improving on our existing coverage in parts the town, as it means greater safety for those living and travelling through the area by unlocking access to mobile voice, text and data services.”

“We strongly believe that whether you live and work in cities or smaller towns and regional locations, you should have access to the same network services and coverage. Programs like the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program are crucial to helping us achieve this goal, enabling us to offer regional communities competition and choice.”

“To date, our mobile black spot sites have generated more than 8,600,000 calls over 429,000 hours; reflecting our commitment to enabling a greater availability of mobile services for our customers no matter where they live.”

"We look forward to continuing to invest in our network across Central Victoria, with the new tower in Redesdale providing a competitive telecommunications alternative for local residents and businesses.”

Minister for Regional Communications, Mark Coulton said the switch on of the new mobile base station in Redesdale under the Mobile Black Spot Program reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to further improving connectivity in the regions.

“We all know how frustrating it is to be talking on the phone and then lose service, so we’re getting on with the job of building more phone towers to deliver better coverage,” Minister Coulton said.

“Not only will these towers make it easier for people to stay connected to family and friends, it will also make it easier to do business and access education.”

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the switch-on in Redesdale is thanks to the partnership with the Federal Government, Optus and the Victorian state government.

“The new mobile base station in Redesdale is the latest to be delivered under the Morrison Government’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program, providing greater connectivity for local residents and businesses and delivering coverage for those travelling in the area,” Minister Fletcher said.

ABOUT THE MOBILE BLACK SPOT PROGRAM

The Mobile Black Spot Program is a Federal Government initiative to improve and extend mobile phone coverage in regional and remote Australia.

The Federal Government has committed $380 million to this Program, which includes $160 million in funding for two new rounds (Rounds 5 and 6). The Government’s commitment has been supported with co-invested by state and local governments, businesses, community organisations and telecommunications providers.

As part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Programs Optus is currently co-funding and building a total of 175 mobile sites in black spots across the country, a large number of which are in very remote, parts of Australia. A total of 95 of these sites are now live with many more under construction or about to start build.

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Optus Corporate Affairs

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