A total of 12 regional highways across Queensland will receive improved spot mobile phone coverage, with Telstra today announced as the successful tenderer for the $20.4 million Commonwealth Government initiative.
The Treasurer, Mr Peter Costello, made the announcement at the opening of the Morven Rural Transaction Centre, with the Landsborough and Warrego Highways two of the Queensland highways to receive funding.
The spot mobile phone coverage will provide real benefits to both local residents and people who travel these roads, with Australians heavy road users for both business and recreational purposes.
Morven is a popular spot for bushwalkers and is famous for the large Ooline Forest at Tregole National Park. Improved mobile phone coverage on the Landsborough and Warrego Highways surrounding Morven will help visitors stay connected with family and friends while enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
A total of 34 regional highways (see attached list) will receive improved spot mobile coverage under the initiative where previously there was little or no terrestrial coverage. While it is not feasible to provide continuous coverage on many of these highways, this program will provide `spots' of coverage which will benefit both local residents and business and holiday travellers.
The spot mobile highway initiative is funded under the Commonwealth Government's $50.5 million Regional Mobile Phone Program-part of the Government's response to the Telecommunications Service Inquiry (TSI).
Mobile phone coverage is also being improved on more than 9000kms of national highways as part of the Commonwealth Government's $25 million Mobile Phones on Highways program with Vodafone, with coverage under the program expected to be completed by the end of 2002. Additionally, over $40m has been provided under the Networking the Nation program to fund 109 mobile phone sites across Australia.
These initiatives demonstrate the Government's ongoing commitment to provide adequate and affordable telecommunications services throughout Australia. Telstra expects to complete rollout of improved mobile phone coverage on the 34 regional highways by June 2004.
15 August 2002
HIGHWAYS RECEIVING SPOT COVERAGE UNDER THE $50.5 MILLION REGIONAL MOBILE PHONE PROGRAM
NEW SOUTH WALES
Barrier Highway; Bruxner Highway; Cobb Highway; Golden Highway; Gwydir Highway;
Mitchell Highway; Silver City Highway; Snowy Mountains Highway
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Arnhem Highway; Barkly Highway; Stuart Highway
QUEENSLAND
Balonne Highway; Barkly Highway; Capricorn Highway; Carnarvon Highway; Dawson
Highway; Flinders Highway; Kennedy Highway; Landsborough Highway; Mitchell Highway;
Moonie Highway; Peak Downs Highway; Warrego Highway
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Barrier Highway; Eyre Highway; Stuart Highway
TASMANIA
Lyell Highway; Tasman Highway
VICTORIA
Cann Valley Highway; Great Alpine Road; Great Ocean Road; Murray Valley Highway;
Sunraysia Highway
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
North West Coastal Highway (Highway 1)