Optus is set to build new mobile phone towers in six locations across the Northern Rivers with funding from the state government’s mobile black-spot program.
The six locations are Fernleigh, Main Arm, Rosebank, Rock Valley, Goolmangar and Stony Chute.
The company’s vice president of regulatory and public affairs, Andrew Sheridan, said the outcome was ‘a real boost for residents and businesses in the Northern Rivers’.
‘There is a genuine need for improved telecommunications services across this key regional centre, especially given Northern Rivers’ popularity as a tourism hub,’ he said.
‘Only recently Optus announced that we would build five new sites in the Northern Rivers region and these NSW Government mobile black spots will complement our existing plans, further bolstering coverage across the area,’ said Mr Sheridan.
‘This is the first time that people in these areas will have dedicated mobile coverage. Access to voice and data coverage is critical, particularly in those regions with high agricultural or tourism-based economies,’ he added.
Deputy premier and minister for regional NSW John Barilaro said the government is committed to boosting voice and data coverage across regional NSW.
‘We know that in order to keep up you have to be connected and are working as fast as we can to cover the gaps in coverage across the state.
‘Connectivity is at the heart of everything we do from running a business, getting produce from paddock to port or staying in touch with family.
‘Expanding mobile coverage means there are more areas where you can call Triple Zero if you need help and more areas where you will receive vital emergency alert information messages.
‘The new sites announced today will benefit hundreds of residents as well as tourists and I am proud that this program is continuing to expand mobile coverage across regional NSW,’ he said.
I live in Main Arm and will take the risk of brain cancer from EMR, for some mobile coverage. many websites require a mobile service so that they can send a passcode as a text, for example. btw, mobile phone towers emit Radio Waves, to your phone,not microwaves.
The article fails to provide a time frame for these towers. Is it available? A further question is will the six towers be in addition to the five already planned or is six the total?
Last I followed up Optus was in mid 2019. They replied:
“Thank you for your enquiry and we appreciate your interest in the Optus involvement in the Mobile Blackspot Program.
We would also like to thank you for being such a loyal customer for so many years.
At this stage the timeframe for delivery of the site at Rosebank is in 12-18 months.
The exact location of the tower is still TBC, and it will depend on several factors, such as land access, backhaul considerations, power supply, and the ability to directly address the official blackspot as identified by the NSW Government.”
I think someone needs to light a fire under their tail.. excuse the poor choice of pun!