Telstra and government representatives have celebrated the delivery of new mobile base stations within the shires of Donnybrook-Balingup and Dardanup.
Three new stations were placed in Lowden, Ferguson Valley and Wellington Mill, among 429 locations awarded in round one of the Australian Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.
The towers are part of Telstra’s $75 million investment in its networks across central and southern WA.
Telstra chief executive officer Andy Penn said he was delighted the service would greatly assist South West residents.
“Not only is it important for connectivity in the local community but also for businesses and emergency services as well,” he said.
The Wellington Mill tower marked the 100th station installed in WA and 300th in the country.
A further 83 towers will be installed throughout the state by the end of 2018.
The stations were designed to deliver expanded 3G/4G Telstra mobile coverage to regional and rural Australia.
It’s very important to have that connectivity and the local people here are really supportive of the investment that is being made.
- Nola Marino, Federal Member for Forrest
The telecommunications network has also planned to install 250 small cells to deliver high-speed, 4G data services in WA towns with suitable Telstra infrastructure.
The program has been co-funded by Telstra, the Federal Government, and the State Government’s Regional Telecommunications Project.
Federal Member for Forrest Nola Marino said the region benefited from increased connectivity.
“Whether you live, work or travel through the area, it’s very important to have that connectivity and the local people here are really supportive of the investment that is being made,” she said.
“The three towers within this vicinity all add to the amenity for local people but also, just as importantly, for local emergency services.
“That’s part of the reason myself and my colleagues pushed so hard to get this $220 million Federal Government commitment for a Black Spot Program.”
Mrs Marino revealed eight mobile base stations have now been installed out of a proposed 19 for the South West.
On January 23, Mr Penn and Mrs Marino were given a demonstration of the drone technology used to inspect and maintain the stations following natural disasters.
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