In 2013, the Australian government proposed a “blackspot” program to ensure regional Australians had adequate mobile coverage. The program is not fully government funded, rather they’re contributing about 25 percent of tower costs, on average, and are encouraging telecoms, like Telstra and Vodafone, to co-invest. As of 2018, investment by all parties has reached $680 million, reported ABC News (the Australian Broadcasting Corp.).
Although 499 locations were funded in round one of the project, 89 remain unfinished, according to the Department of Communications. Delays have been a challenge and are generally caused by issues with landowner agreements, community opposition, and building approval.
Now, state governments have gotten involved. Earlier this year the Victorian Government decided to roll out its own plan, accusing the Federal Government of “failing to properly consult when choosing sites and a complete lack of transparency about how sites are chosen.” The Commonwealths are also contributing financially, up to 55 percent per tower, reported ABC News.
Telstra sees the opportunity to continue to co-invest in tower projects, according to a spokesperson. Although, plans by the telecoms don’t always work out. ABC News reported that a tower planned for Numeralla, which is part of the blackspot program, hit a snag. When construction began on the tower earlier this year, Telstra already decided to co-locate on an existing tower. However, according to resident Steve Donkers, “There was an opportunity to put a mobile phone tower further to the north…to provide 10 to 12 times more coverage.”
He says Telstra “strung the town along” by indicating the hilltop was an option and asking the Numeralla community for $500,000 within 10 days to cover the extra costs, but the town couldn’t meet the deadline.
“[We missed out on ] hugely increased coverage serving the district—the farming community, the tourist community, the national parks,” said Donkers.
Five years after the blackspot program launched, safety fears and frustrations still remain.
August 17, 2018
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