Mobile phone coverage is now available in the city loop, the Andrews Labor Government announced today.
Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, joined transport operators and mobile phone carriers at Parliament Station to confirm that, after days of testing, passengers now have access to high-quality 3G voice and 4G data coverage throughout Melbourne’s 12 kilometres of rail tunnels and underground stations.
The new mobile phone service emulates mobile carrier coverage in the Hong Kong, Singapore and Montreal underground rail systems, and exceeds the quality of coverage found in many other capital cities around the world.
The Mobile Coverage in the City Loop project is being delivered by Victorian rail asset owner VicTrack. Further work will be undertaken over the coming 12-18 months that will enhance 4G data services, increasing capacity and data speeds even further.
Quotes attributable to Minster for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“The Andrews Labor Government has achieved what the Liberals promised but never delivered: mobile coverage in the city loop.”
“This ends years of frustration for passengers, who would be in the middle of a conversation only for their phone to cut out when they entered the loop.”
“Passengers can now text, talk and stream from their phones or tablets anywhere in the city loop.”
“The Andrews Labor Government has delivered mobile coverage in the loop, and is getting on with the major public transport projects Victoria needs, like Melbourne Metro Rail and the Level Crossing Removal Project.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020