Queensland (Credit: NOAA Satellites)
Telstra mobile network resellers will soon have more to offer regional Queenslanders, in terms of coverage, with the state government set to roll out dozens of new 4G small cell sites.
Regional communities across Queensland are set to see improved mobile phone coverage, with 39 4G small cells to be installed over the next year, Queensland Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy, Leeanne Enoch revealed on 18 may.
The latest rollout of 4G cells are among up to 50 such sites that have been secured through the Queensland Government’s co-funding arrangement with Telstra for round one of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
Each small cell will provide 4G mobile connectivity over a coverage footprint of approximately 200 to 300 metres.
“Mobile phone black spots have been a huge concern for many regional communities, with poor coverage presenting serious safety concerns,” Enoch said.
“Local businesses are also hurting, so with this being Queensland Small Business Week, the new 4G cells will not only boost phone coverage - but confidence levels.
“The Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation (DSITI) worked closely with local councils and Telstra to identify, expand and improve mobile phone coverage and promote digital connectivity,” she said.
Other locations to receive the 4G cells include Rosedale, Bororen, and Burnett Heads, areas previously have suffered from limited, or no, mobile phone coverage.
The 4G small cells are expected to deliver coverage to hundreds of additional premises, and come on top of 144 mobile base stations already secured under the state’s $24 million co-investment in the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP).
The mobile base stations secured under MBSP are expected to provide coverage to more than 20,000 premises, including houses, businesses, schools and government offices.
In early May, the Victorian government revealed it would pump $11 million of its larger $45 million digital technology and infrastructure investment into the MBSP.
Optus has also got in on the action, announcing in April that it will build 22 new mobile sites across Western Queensland, in its $10 million mobile infrastructure upgrade investment.
This will include 18 mobile sites funded via standalone Optus investment and four via money from the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.
Queensland’s 39 new small cell locations will include Weengallon, Wallumbilla, Homestead, Thargomindah, Ridgewood, Cannon Valley, Nobby, Buxton, Delta, Brookstead, South Kolan, Inkermin, Flagstone Creek, Burnett Heads and Woodstock.
Also included are Forest Hill, Rosedale, Brandon, Acland, Bororen, Forrest Beach, Bowenville, Comet, Kennedy, Surat, Ridgelands, El Arish, Brigalow, Tanby, Babinda, Peachester, Capella, Mount Alford, Conondale, Yakapari, Kerry, Kumbia, Pentland and Cungulla.
