Federal Member for Dobell, Emma McBride, is calling on the community to have a say about new guidelines that will drive investment to address poor mobile coverage that has plagued parts of the Central Coast for years.
She said the government would be improving connectivity in the region, especially where it’s been worse at Matcham-Holgate and Wyoming.
“We’re asking locals for feedback so we can get the best coverage for our community and I encourage people to have their say before the consultation process closes on November 28.
“Our community deserves fast, reliable connections that will keep us safe and informed,” McBride said.
Feedback from industry and the community will help inform the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for the $40M Improving Mobile Coverage Round of grants in the Mobile Black Spot Program.
This initiative, announced in the 2022-23 Federal Budget, is part of the Albanese Government’s election commitment to improve mobile connectivity across regional Australia.
The Improving Mobile Coverage Round will provide grant funding to mobile network operators and infrastructure providers to address identified mobile coverage and quality of service issues in 54 target locations.
In addition to regional communities, this dedicated round of the Mobile Black Spot Program is targeting mobile coverage issues along a number of regional roads and highways to make sure travellers have access to essential mobile services in the event of an emergency.
The grants will complement the Albanese Government’s $2.2B investment in regional telecommunications over the next five years plus a further commitment of $1.1B including new measures promised in this year’s election.
They include $400M to improve coverage along regional highways, roads and in under-served communities; $200M for place-based communications; $30M to expand connectivity through machine-to-machine networks; $20M to complete an independent audit of mobile coverage to identify black spots and $6M to extend the Regional Tech Hub which provides expert advice to regional customers on how to connect and stay connected.
Communications Minister, Michelle Rowland, said the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia would improve the digital quality of life and bridge the digital divide for Australians no matter where they lived.
Public feedback on the draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines is open until 5pm on Monday, November 28 by going online to www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say.
More information about the Mobile Black Spot Program, including a list of targeted locations, is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp
Primary Source: Dobell Federal MP, Emma McBride, 14 November 2022