The Australian government has announced that the first base station built under round three of the mobile blackspots program has gone live, with Telstra providing coverage to East Lynne in New South Wales.
The site will provide 3G and 4G services to residents, Regional Communications Minister Bridget McKenzie and Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis said in a joint statement, especially in the event of an emergency.
"Under the priority locations round alone, 125 identified priority blackspot locations will now receive improved mobile coverage," McKenzie said.
The government had in April revealed which telcos will be taking a slice of the AU$60 million funding under round three of the mobile blackspots program, with Telstra being designated 89 locations[1] across the nation, Optus 12, and Vodafone Australia one.
Optus is building 114 new mobile sites[2] under round two of the Australian government's mobile blackspots program while Telstra is responsible for 148, down from the 429 it was allocated [3]under round one.
Vodafone Australia will build out just four mobile base stations under round two after being responsible for 70[4] under round one.
The government's 2018-19 federal Budget did not set aside any additional funding for the mobile blackspots program, despite calls for this from the opposition[5] Labor party, but the government earlier this month said it would invest a further AU$25 million in a fourth round of its mobile blackspots[6] program.
The Department of Communications last month revealed that one telco is using diesel generators to provide power for base stations[7] under the federal government's mobile blackspots program, while another is storing its backup