WA boosts number of mobile towers

The Western Australian Government has boosted mobile phone and internet coverage across regional Western Australia by installing an extra 113 communications towers, improving reception area by 95,000 square kilometres.

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the $39.2 million state government Royalties for Regions-funded Regional Mobile Communications Project (RMCP) was a giant leap forward and had increased coverage by more than 22%.

“The benefits of this project for rural, remote and regional West Australians are enormous; from connecting communities and boosting local businesses to educational opportunities, better health and welfare outcomes, and increasing safety and emergency service responses,” Mischin said.

“For instance, Highway 1 now has almost continuous coverage, which helps residents, tourists, truck drivers and anyone travelling in regional WA.”

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said new mobile communications towers now stretched from the remote Ngaanyatjarra Lands in the Western Desert to the Kimberley town of Kununurra, all the way south along Highway 1 to the town of Eucla.

Starting next year, Stage 2 involves the $45 million Regional Telecommunications Project to install a further 80 telecommunications towers in small communities and at strategic sites.

The RMCP is administered by the Department of Commerce in consultation with the Department of Regional Development. Telstra is implementing the three-year RMCP project and has activated most of the 113 towers.