Mobile coverage boosted in Wandiligong

People living and travelling through Wandiligong will now have better phone service to make calls, browse the internet and stay connected with family and friends.
The switch on of a new macro base station in Wandiligong under the Mobile Black Spot Program will significantly improve phone service in the popular tourist destination on Morses Creek Road, which has faced significant financial setbacks following this summer’s devastating bushfires and the coronavirus.
Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie was pleased even more residents and businesses in the Alpine Shire would now have better phone service to help what will be a long rebuild.
“Poor telecommunication services has long been a key concern for residents in Indi and the Alpine region and I’m proud to be part of The National Party listening and delivering for rural and regional people,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The new base station was completed by Optus and will provide new and improved 4G and 3G coverage to more than 175 premises.
“The Government’s continued investment in mobile phone base stations is further proof of The Nationals’ commitment to connecting Australians, wherever they are, particularly in rural towns like Wandiligong.”
Minister for Regional Communications, Regional Health and Local Government, Mark Coulton, said the Government was committed to improving connectivity for people living in regional and rural areas.
“The improved service is thanks to the Liberal and Nationals Government’s $380 million Mobile Black Spot Program, which is eradicating phone black spots across Indi,” Minister Coulton said.
“This Government knows how frustrating it is to be talking on the phone or browsing the internet and then lose service, so we’re getting on with the job of building more phone towers to deliver better service.
“Not only will these towers make it easier for people to stay connected to family and friends, it will also make it easier to do business and access education.”
Minister Coulton said more than 37,000 Triple 0 calls have so far been made possible through the Mobile Black Spot Program.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts the Hon Paul Fletcher said the switch on of the base station reflected the Government’s commitment to further improving connectivity in the regions.
“While no telecommunications network is 100 per cent impervious to damage from natural disasters, Australians naturally want to be confident our communications networks are as resilient as possible. The Mobile Black Spot Program is an important part of this as it provides an alternative communications option if another network goes down during an emergency situation,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The first four rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program are funding more than 1047 mobile base stations around Australia, with more than 800 of these already on air and providing much needed mobile connectivity to rural and regional areas.”
An additional $160 million in new funding for rounds five and six of the program was announced in 2019 to continue to improve phone service for people in Australia’s regions.
More information about the program is available at www.communications.gov.au/mbsp.