Regional Victoria is set to be better connected than ever, with the Andrews Labor Government announcing the delivery of 150 mobile phone towers across the state to improve safety, eliminate black spots and enhance digital connections.
Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula today visited a tower site in Thorpdale in the Latrobe Valley to confirm the milestone and demonstrate the Labor Government’s commitment to getting on with the job of better connecting our regions.
The towers are a result of the Government’s involvement in the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) and will give tens of thousands of regional residents across the state access to better 3G and 4G coverage.
The MBSP is partly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments with co-contributions by Optus, Telstra and Vodafone.
Since 2014, the Labor Government has committed more than $55 million to construct 224 new mobile towers in regional Victoria, brought to life through a number of funding rounds and working with multiple carriers.
In March it was announced that the Andrews Government would partner with the Federal Government to build a further 30 new mobile towers across regional Victoria – eliminating black spots, boosting coverage and improving safety for local communities.
Through the Government’s Connecting Regional Communities Program, connectivity is being boosted across regional Victoria through free public Wi-Fi in Bendigo and Ballarat, high-speed broadband in Morwell and repeaters to improve coverage for commuters on regional rail.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
“We’re delivering new mobile towers to the communities that need them most – providing coverage and better connecting more communities.”
“By removing mobile black spots in regional Victoria, we’re giving local communities every opportunity to thrive while ensuring people can feel safer and enjoy where they live.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
"Having effective broadband coverage is essential in our regional communities and it's why we will continue to roll out these towers."
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“Access to mobile phone coverage is a necessary part of life which is why we’re pushing so hard for communities here in the Latrobe Valley to have the connections they deserve.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020