Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said he was delighted to receive advice that the Bute/Alford mobile phone tower has been turned on.
“ThE Bute/Alford tower was announced under Round 3 of the Mobile Black Spots program in 2016,” he said. “It was delivered as an election round and I was able to prioritise towers within my electorates for funding, of which Bute/Alford was one.
“This round has taken longer than usual to get off the ground and that has been frustrating, an ACCC inquiry into mobile roaming held up the process for some time, but it is great to see the tower launched now and the people in the Bute/Alford area with greatly improved access to mobile phone services.
“I congratulate Telstra for getting on board with the Bute/Alford tower and a number of the mobile black spots towers in Grey which Telstra has committed to jointly funding with the Federal Government and its continued investment in the regions.”
Mr Ramsey said he has continued to advocate for continued funding for Mobile Black Spots.
“I am very aware of the impact of not having mobile reception in regional communities,” he said.
“Mobile technology plays an important role in helping people stay in contact with friends and family, and run businesses effectively.
“It is also a serious health and safety issue in the case of accident or fire.”
Mr Ramsey said the new coverage would open up opportunities for local businesses and the community, enabling them to access the same mobile services as those in major cities.
“We have committed $220 million to improve mobile black spots across the country with $60 million of this funding targeting priority black spot areas with poor or no mobile coverage, like Bute/Alford.”
The Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program is improving mobile coverage across Australia including along major regional transport routes, in small communities and at identified priority locations.
Media contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744
March 6 2018
