Truckies’ long-running frustrations over poor mobile phone coverage in many parts of Australia could soon be a thing of the past.
Applications are now open for the Albanian government’s targeted initiative to improve mobile coverage in identified trouble spots across the country. Mobile network operators and infrastructure providers have until April 13, 2023 to submit an application for funding.
The $40 million Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR) delivers on election commitments to fund Mobile Network Operators and Infrastructure Providers to deploy new mobile infrastructure at the 54 locations below.
In addition to benefiting regional communities, this dedicated round is also targeting mobile coverage issues along a number of major regional highways to ensure motorists and truckies have access to essential mobile services.
The IMCR was funded in the October 2022-23 Federal Budget.
In a statement released today, the government said it had made significant commitments to improve regional coverage through its $656 million Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia program.
The plan commits $400 million to expanding mobile coverage and improving “communications resilience”, including investment to fund future rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program, and $200 million to fund place-based communications solutions through additional rounds of the Regional Connectivity Program.
To make your case on where future money should be spent on fixing other black spots, click here.