WA installs new telecommunication towers in desert regions

New communication towers have been installed by Telstra in the Western Desert’s Ngaanyatjarra Lands, under the state government’s Royalties for Regions Regional Mobile Communication Project (RMCP).

The towers will provide mobile voice and internet coverage to communities in areas such as Blackstone, Warakurna, Wanarn, Jameson and Wingellina, said Regional Development Minister Terry Redman.

Redman said the project was a commitment to bridging the digital divide experienced by people living in regional, rural and remote communities.

“Access to mobile coverage and broadband internet is crucial in improving health, education, emergency services, business, wellbeing and community welfare outcomes for regional Western Australia,” he said.

“Stage 1 of the RMCP is almost complete and the state government has committed a further $45 million over four years to fund Stage 2, which will align with the National Broadband Network and have a stronger community focus, delivering even more benefits and opportunities to regional West Australians.

Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the five towers would increase mobile network coverage in the area by more than 9000 square kilometres.

“This is an especially significant achievement for the RMCP in providing vital and reliable telecommunications coverage to remote communities that have previously had very little service,” Mischin said.

“We now have almost continuous mobile and broadband coverage along Highway 1 and on completion of the project overall coverage in WA will have increased by almost 95,000 km² - approximately 22%. This is a major achievement and will again increase when Stage 2 begins next year.”