Telstra is set to upgrade its mobile base station in Wamberal Reservoir by adding additional infrastructure to bring a better 4G user experience and preparation for 5G to the community.
The improvements will temporarily impact Telstra mobile coverage at various times from February 19 until March 17.
The first phase of disruptions will occur from 7am on Monday, February 19, to 5pm on Friday, March 1, with the network coverage being restored each day at 5pm.
There will be full site outage between 7am on Monday, March 4, and 5pm on Friday March 8, with no mobile network coverage during this period.
This will be followed by sector-by-sector disruptions until Sunday, March 17, with the network coverage being restored at 5pm each day.
If all goes to plan and weather permitting, residents should notice improvement in Telstra mobile services by March 18.
Telstra mobile customers will receive text messages advising of the upcoming work.
Landline services, NBN internet services and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.
Any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically be diverted to any working mobile network for connection to emergency services.
Telstra Regional General Manager Michael Marom said while crews needed to work during daylight for safety, they would only switch off the site when necessary and would have it back on as quickly as possible.
“Where possible we will just be switching off the parts of the tower we are working on, leaving the rest operational,” he said.
“While coverage and capacity will decline during this time, we want to keep the amount of time the site is off air to an absolute minimum.
“There’s never a good time to undertake this sort of work but once it is completed, it will mean better mobile services for local residents.
“As a company, we heavily invest in improving regional connectivity and this site is another example of our commitment.
“Over the past seven years to the end of FY23, Telstra invested $11B in our mobile network nationally, with $4B of this invested in our regional mobile network.”
For mobile coverage in the interim, if residents have access to a Wi-Fi signal at home or at work, Telstra encourages residents to activate Wi-Fi calling.
This is a free setting on most popular mobile phones and allows your mobile to use a Wi-Fi network to make and receive mobile calls.
To find out more google Telstra Wi-Fi calling or search in the settings icon on your phone.
While many businesses use the Telstra network for their EFTPOS terminals, Telstra does not operate the EFTPOS network; it is operated by financial institutions.
Many EFTPOS terminals can also be connected using fixed line or Wi-Fi/NBN internet connections.
Retailers should contact their bank for more information and details on how to switch between these methods to ensure continuous service.
The roll out of 5G connectivity for the first time in the area means customers with Telstra 5G mobile devices will be able to enjoy a better mobile experience.
The upgrade also brings added benefits for customers on the Telstra 4G network with more capacity, providing better network connectivity and less congestion when it’s busier.
Once completed, Wamberal will join more than 4,900 Telstra 5G sites on-air within selected areas of more than four hundred cities and towns across Australia.
Customers wishing to access 5G on the Telstra network will need a 5G capable device so for some people, that may mean upgrading their current device.