MBSP Rd 5 delivers improved mobile coverage for Indi

More parts of North East Victoria will see improved mobile coverage under Round 5 of the Government’s highly successful $380 million Mobile Black Spot Program.
Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie today said six new base stations would be built the Indi Electorate under Round 5, providing improved mobile coverage in those communities.
“It’s positive news even more parts of the North East and Upper Murray will soon be benefitting from improved mobile connectivity provided by these new base stations,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The Mobile Black Spot Program is a top priority of The Nationals in Government; we understand the critical importance of improving digital connectivity in regional, rural and remote Australia.
“I saw first-hand just how important a strong telecommunication network is during the January bushfires in the Upper Murray and I’m grateful to see some of those hard-hit communities like Cudgewa and Jingellic have been included in Round 5.
“The Mobile Black Spot Program helps keep people safe with improved natural disaster warnings and, as we are seeing during this COVID-19 pandemic, is incredibly important in enabling families and friends to stay connected.
“A well connected community increases profitability on farms and small businesses through higher productivity and allows distance education and telehealth services to be delivered in hard-to-reach places.”
Under Round 5 of the MBSP new base stations will be built at Creightons Creek (Telstra), Cudgewa (Telstra), Harrietville (Telstra), Jingellic (Optus), Mt Bruno (Optus) and Taggerty (Telstra).
This follows four base stations approved – Berringama, Freeburgh/Smoko, Lima South and Mount Alfred – in Round 4 and an extra eight already online following Round 2.
Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton said mobile connectivity enabled rural and remote Australians to stay connected year-round, made more crucial as rural communities responded to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Our Mobile Black Spot program is connecting regional communities and businesses, enabling them to contribute more effectively to our local, regional and national economies,” Minister Coulton said.
The Federal Government is contributing a total of $34 million to Round 5 of the Program, which will deliver total new investment of more than $73 million together with co-contributions from the funding recipients and state governments.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher said Round 5 of the program would fund a further 182 new base stations for regional and remote communities across Australia.
“The announcement of successful Round 5 locations today brings the total number of base stations being funded under the Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program to 1229, underlining our ongoing commitment to providing new and improved mobile connectivity to Australians across the country,” Minister Fletcher said.
More than $836 million is being invested in new mobile infrastructure in regional and remote Australia across the five rounds.
This comes as the Mobile Black Spot Program passes a significant milestone with more than 800 mobile base stations now on air across Australia, meaning more coverage in more rural areas.
Round 5 base stations are scheduled to roll out in the coming months with the first new base stations expected to be activated by the end of the year.
To view the full list of Round 5 locations visit, or to provide feedback on the discussion paper on the design of future rounds, visit: communications.gov.au/mbsp