Bangalow residents and businesses, struggling for years with inadequate internet and phone coverage, will hear from NBN and Telstra reps on planned improvements on April 4, from 5.30 till 6.30pm, at the Bangalow Hotel.
Hosted by the Byron Chamber of Commerce, the event is described as ‘a frank and direct conversation with regional representatives’ on the ongoing challenges of unreliable internet and mobile coverage in the area.
The chamber says, ‘This pervasive issue, a constant topic of conversation and frustration for us all, will be tackled head-on’.
‘NBN will present their upcoming solutions for both fibre to the premises and fixed wireless, while Telstra will discuss their plans to boost the mobile network in Bangalow and the surrounding area.
‘Following the presentations, an open forum will provide you with the opportunity to pose your burning questions to both NBN and Telstra’.
A spokesperson from the Bangalow Pharmacy told The Echo that they are located in a phone reception dead zone, and that customers have to go to the post office to download their e-scripts before coming back to purchase them.
‘It’s been happening for years’, they said.
MP petition
Labor MP Justine Elliot’s response to the issue has been to ask residents to add their name to a petition on her website: justineelliot.com.au/betterconnectivity.
She writes, ‘As your strong voice in the Albanese Labor government, I’m working with Telstra, who are currently reviewing rural sites adjacent to the M1 for a communications tower to improve the mobile and data coverage in Bangalow, Newrybar, and along the M1 itself’.
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