Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, says a new mobile phone tower at Copeton Dam, near Inverell, is expected to provide more than 180 square kilometres of new and improved coverage in the area.
“I have been fighting hard for improved mobile phone coverage since becoming the Member for New England in 2013. I have helped secure 45 new and upgraded mobile base stations in the Electorate – Copeton Dam is the 37th to be switched on.
“This is great news for Copeton Dam. The coverage includes the Reflections Holiday Parks Copeton Waters and the nearby boat ramp. This makes it safer for those working and holidaying at, and travelling through, this popular recreational area,” Mr Joyce said.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the new mobile base station at Copeton Dam was funded under the Mobile Black Spot Program and reflects the Coalition Government’s commitment to better phone services for people to make calls, browse the internet and stay connected with family and friends.
“More than 1,200 mobile base stations are being built around Australia thanks to the Mobile Black Spot Program. More than 880 are already on-air providing much needed mobile service to rural and regional areas,” Minister Fletcher said. Minister for Regional Communications, Regional Health and Local Government, the Hon Mark Coulton MP, said the Coalition Government is committed to improving connectivity for people living in regional and rural areas.
“I know how frustrating it is to be talking on the phone or browsing the internet and then lose service, so we’re getting on with the job of building more phone towers to deliver better service,” Minister Coulton said.
Telstra’s NSW Regional General Manager, Mike Marom, said mobile connectivity plays a major role in connecting people and technology across Australia and around the world. “Whether it’s a parent being able to call the kids, a small business taking a credit card payment for the first time or a local producer using sensors to run their farm more effectively, having mobile connectivity is becoming increasingly important in regional Australia.”
