The importance of grey nomads and other travellers being able to access mobile coverage while camping in remote areas is slowly being recognised by the authorities.
The Federal Government has just announced that 26 new base stations will be constructed across Western Australia as part of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
The Mandurah Mail reports that a new telecommunications base station will be established at the Nanga Brook campsite to improve mobile coverage in the popular Lane Poole Reserve tourism destination.
Regional services senator Bridget McKenzie told the newspaper that the initiative would improve mobile coverage in regional and remote areas.
“Reliable and effective mobile communications are a key driver of the enormous contribution that our regions make to Australia’s economic growth,” she said. “Greater availability of mobile services is a big deal … it means staying safe in remote areas, keeping in contact with family and friends, unlocking access to online health and education services as well as increased tourism and business opportunities.”
Under Round 4 of the program, $14.6 million will be invested in mobile infrastructure in WA. This includes $4.3 million funding from the Commonwealth and a further $4.3 million from the state government.
“Our regional areas deserve the same access to telecommunications as people in Perth,” said State regional development minister, Alannah MacTiernan.
The Mobile Black Spot Program is delivering 1047 new base stations and generating more than $760 million of new investment in mobile infrastructure.
Round 4 base stations are expected to roll out shortly with the first of them being activated by the second half of the year.
Telecommunications in WA are great. There are free camps with solar powered free Wi Fi, certainly doesn’t happen in Eastern States.
Wow! 1047 new base stations. Based on population WA should have got 104 not just 26 or based on land mass well over 300. Another way that WA is ripped off. Its not just the GST. So if you are visiting WA don’t complain about lack of infrastructure they a busy supporting other states.