Optus has delivered much needed coverage and connectivity to the Meredith community in Regional Victoria, switching on a new mobile tower as part of the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program. The Victorian Government has also contributed funding to this new Optus site.
The new tower is located at Meredith Super Natural Amphitheatre, Meredith Mt Mercer Road offering enhanced 4G mobile connectivity, coverage and capacity to this iconic event space and its surrounds. The tower will provide enhanced coverage in the rural location offering mobile coverage to 67 premises in the area, over 103 square kilometres, including 11 kilometres of major roads. Having the new tower in the region is also welcome news to locals and event-goers who will benefit from the improved network while enjoying festivities on site.
This new tower brings the total number of Mobile Black Spot Program sites Optus has switched on in Victoria to 20.
Andrew Sheridan, Optus Vice President, Regulatory & Public Affairs, said, “We’re very happy to be able to strengthen coverage for our customers. It's been incredibly important for us to be able to offer residents and businesses genuine choices for their mobile services as well as ensure that locals and visitors can access a reliable network in Meredith.
“Meredith Tower will provide our customers with much-needed access to our best network ever at a great value. It means greater connectivity for those living, working, and visiting the area by unlocking access to communication, and helps facilitate contact with family and friends.” continued Mr Sheridan.
Victorian Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford said the Victorian Government is fast-tracking connectivity to improve connections across the state.
“Being better connected is going to be great for the Meredith community – it will make it so much easier for people to go about their business and connect with loved ones, and in emergencies it will make them safer.”
Minister for Regional Communications, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said the activation of the tower at Meredith was part of the Australian Government’s commitment to support regional areas.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government’s priority is to provide Australians with better access to reliable communication services, which is why we have committed $380 million to the Mobile Black Spot Program to improve mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote communities,” Minister McKenzie said.
“This is just one of the more than 1,270 new mobile base stations funded under the program to date, with more than 980 of these base stations now on air, including 177 in Victoria. I am delighted to see this rollout continue.”
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said the new tower will support residents, businesses and visitors to the area, as well as the popular Meredith music festivals as we emerge from the pandemic.
“The Morrison Government’s Mobile Black Spot program is delivering key infrastructure to address gaps in coverage, improving business operations and social connectivity,” Senator Henderson said.
Optus continues to invest to improve coverage, reliability, and speed across its Australian mobile network, with this new tower providing a competitive telecommunications alternative for local Meredith residents, businesses and visitors.
ABOUT THE MOBILE BLACK SPOT PROGRAM
The Mobile Black Spot Program is an Australian Government initiative to improve and extend mobile phone coverage and increase competition in regional and remote Australia.
The Australian Government has committed $380 million to this Program, which has been supported by State Governments, local governments, businesses, community organisations and telecommunications providers.
As part of the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program, Optus has been awarded funding for 256 sites in regional and remote parts of Australia.
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Media contacts:
Optus Corporate Affairs (02) 8082 7850 media@optus.com.au
Anna Laskaris, Thrive PR + Communications 0413 810 453 anna.laskaris@thrivepr.com.au
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