Telstra’s $5m mobile boost for out West

RESIDENTS in some of Tasmania’s most remote towns have dedicated Telstra mobile coverage for the first time after the telecommunications giant completed a $5.2m network upgrade ahead of schedule.

Telstra said five communities in the West Coast region would now enjoy new, faster mobile coverage.

A new 4GX mobile site has been switched on in Tullah, bringing dedicated Telstra mobile coverage to its 150 residents and visiting tourists.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher will join Braddon MP Gavin Pearce and Telstra regional general manager Michael Patterson by video call for the launch of the new site.

Waratah and Savage River are also enjoying faster mobile coverage thanks to 4GX upgrades to their existing mobile sites, while radio transmission links will also improve the network performance in Zeehan and Strahan.

The upgrades form part of the major North-West Tasmania Communications Upgrade, which was carried out by Telstra in partnership with the federal government, West Coast Council and WaratahWynyard Council.

Mr Fletcher said the project would help bridge the digital divide by bringing dedicated and faster mobile services to towns in some of Tasmania’s most remote areas.

Mr Pearce said the upgrades would be a gamechanger for communities along the West Coast by helping to boost the economy and drive a stronger tourism sector.

Telstra’s Mr Patterson said the project had been completed more than a year ahead of schedule.

“This is about more than just faster mobile speeds — it’s about building more capacity, reliability and resilience into the network, creating a real platform for future growth and to cater for increasing demand,” Mr Patterson said.

Tullah Progress Association president Jenny Bowie said better mobile coverage would boost community morale and allow the town to grow.

Project works included upgrading Telstra’s fibre transmission from Launceston to Burnie and boosting capacity from Burnie to Queenstown.

helen.kempton@news.com.au