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These areas are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters.
Delivered through Round 2 of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP), funding has been awarded to mobile carriers and tower companies for 47 projects that will deliver new or upgraded mobile phone infrastructure targeting mobile coverage and reception issues.
The 47 projects are expected to provide hundreds of square kilometres of 4G and 5G new improved coverage to communities in Adelaide, Ballarat, Bendigo, Brisbane, Cairns, Central Coast (NSW), Darwin, Geelong, Gold Coast/Tweed Heads, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney, Toowoomba, Townsville and Wollongong to around 80,000 premises.
The peri-urban fringe is where the bush meets the suburbs. These areas have been historically underserved because of the high cost of deploying infrastructure, difficult terrain, planning challenges and lower population densities.
Natural disasters across Australia have highlighted the need for more reliable mobile services during emergencies, which the Government is delivering.
“Reliable connectivity and mobile coverage can be the difference between life and death during emergencies,” said Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP.
“The Albanese Government is improving mobile coverage across Australia, including along our peri-urban fringes, to ensure local communities can stay in touch and receive information when they need it most.”
“We know these projects are complex and can take the industry years to deliver to people on the ground. Bringing forward funding under PUMP Round 2 is a real win for communities who will get the investment they need to stay connected sooner,” she added.
“It allows industry to get on with the job of delivering these projects and means more communities will benefit from the Government’s investment sooner.”
Read also: New tech fleet to keep communities connected after natural disasters
Co-contributions of $43 million are being made towards these projects by the telco industry and the Queensland Government, highlighting the collaborative approach to delivering better coverage for Australians.
Two mobile carriers will share infrastructure at nine sites, improving both coverage and choice for consumers, and maximising the benefits of the Commonwealth’s investment. The remaining 38 projects will be required to offer co-location to interested mobile carriers, where technically feasible, to support potential multi-carrier outcomes at these sites in the future.
Funding has been awarded for projects in 17 of the 19 cities eligible under Round 2 of PUMP, following a competitive, merit-based grant process.
In a win for communities, and based on Departmental recommendations, the Government will bring forward funding earmarked for a future round of PUMP to support a larger number of Round 2 projects now.
The PUMP complements other Albanese Government initiatives to improve telecommunications services across Australia, through its $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
The rollout schedule will be published on grantees’ websites once contracts are executed.
Adrianne Saplagio is a Content Producer at Comms Room, where she combines her passion for storytelling with her expertise in multimedia content creation. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for engaging audiences, Adrianne has been instrumental in crafting compelling narratives that resonate across various digital platforms.
