Mobile towers improve rural Australian phone reception

The federal government is providing 765 mobile towers to improve mobile phone coverage for rural and remote Australia.

The government’s Mobile Black Spots program provides incentives for companies to build mobile phone towers in regional areas to ensure comprehensive phone coverage. Currently there are 440 mobile black spots being fixed.

Telstra has just opened its 100th new tower as part of the program, this time in Culla, Victoria.

“These 765 towers will deliver new or improved coverage to 32,000 homes and businesses across 86,000 km²,” said Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash.

“All Australians need to take responsibility for their safety when outside traditional mobile phone coverage. Australians were using other devices for decades before there were mobile phones.

“Satellite phones are available from $700 up — similar price to a smartphone. Plans start from $15 a month. Satellite phones are unaffected by mountains and hills on the ground.”

Approximately 171,000 Australians do not have mobile phone coverage at their homes, while it is thought that there are around 60,000 satellite phone users in Australia.

Image credit: ©kstudija/Dollar Photo Club

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