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Optus has switched on a new tower at Kangaroo Island East as part of the Australian Governments Mobile Black Spot Program which the South Australian State Government has also contributed funding towards. The new tower will provide the best ever Optus coverage and connectivity to the community and tourists in the East side of Kangaroo Island.

The Optus mobile tower will provide enhanced mobile coverage to 45 premises with 51 sq kms covered. The Kangaroo Island East tower will provide essential communication services for critical times, particularly as we head into the bushfire season and help those living and working on the Islands East side to stay connected.

Rob Seymour, Optus Territory General Manager for Regional South Australia, said that Optus continues to provide mobile competition and choice to regional and rural South Australia.

Mr Seymour said, We know how important reliable internet access is for those living and working across regional Australia. This tower will provide our customers with enhanced connectivity while living, working and driving through the region by unlocking access to communication and will also help to facilitate contact with family and friends throughout the country.

The investment in expanding Optus telecommunications infrastructure and mobile coverage is supported by the Federal Governments Mobile Black Spot Program, and we recognise the work of the Federal and State Governments, local businesses and communities for their support of this Program/

These new towers will also allow competition and choice for local businesses and residents by offering our best network ever at a great value. We are committed to giving our customers access to reliable mobile coverage and high-quality internet, added Mr. Seymour.

Minister for Regional Communications, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said the activation of the new tower was part of the Liberal and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Governments commitment to support regional areas.

The Liberal and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Governments priority is to provide Australians with better access to reliable communication services, which is why we have committed $380 million to the Mobile Black Spot Program to improve mobile coverage and competition across regional and remote communities, Minister McKenzie said.

This is just one of the more than 1,270 new mobile base stations funded under the program to date, with more than 980 of these base stations now on air including 61 in South Australia. I am delighted to see this rollout continue.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the Marshall Liberal Government has long-recognised the importance of effective telecommunications as critical infrastructure for our rural and regional communities.

Mobile phone coverage and connectivity is vital for people living in regional and remote areas, especially now as we move into the bushfire season with residents heavily reliant on mobile coverage to stay connected, Minister Basham said.

It is why we established the $10 million Mobile Phone Black Spot Fund to assist in addressing mobile phone black spots which had been ignored by the previous Labor Government.

Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan CSC said the new Optus tower would be of significant benefit to the community, including when the region is being threatened by disaster.

Its great to see the Liberal and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Governments investment delivering a tower that can provide critical support during emergencies including natural disasters, where connectivity is paramount to health and wellbeing, Senator McLachlan said.

It will also provide high speed access to local businesses on the island, which can help owners deliver a better service to existing and potential customers alike.

Optus continues to invest to improve coverage, reliability, and speed across its mobile network with this new tower providing a competitive telecommunications alternative for local residents and businesses.

ABOUT THE MOBILE BLACK SPOT PROGRAM

The Mobile Black Spot Program is an Australian Government initiative to improve and extend mobile phone coverage and increase competition in regional and remote Australia.

The Australian Government has committed $380 million to this Program, which has been supported by State Governments, local governments, businesses, community organisations and telecommunications providers.

As part of the Australian Governments Mobile Black Spot Program, Optus has been awarded funding for 256 sites in regional and remote parts of Australia.

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