New mobile phone tower for Wongoondy

Wongoondy farmer Steve Rowe said a new mobile phone tower had vastly improved his mobile coverage and internet services and had made a big impact on farm activities and lifestyle.

“I can now contact staff across the farm,” he said.

“I don’t have to go to the top of the hill to make a business call and we can now enjoy entertainment packages through the internet.

“I did a speed test on the service and returned a download speed of more than 36Mbps and an upload speed of 16Mbps which I was very impressed about.”

City of Greater Geraldton councillors Jennifer Critch and Tarleah Thomas welcomed the new base station and said it was another important step in getting widespread mobile coverage across the region.

The new base station has been activated under the Federal and WA Government funded Mobile Black Spot Program.

Telstra area general manager Boyd Brown said the site, about 100km east of Geraldton and 42km south of Mullewa in WA’s Mid West, delivered state-of-the-art mobile coverage.

“A new tower is a game-changer in supporting the local residents and businesses around Wongoondy,” he said.

“The growing use of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets is changing the way we live and we’re acutely aware of the challenges facing communities living with limited access to a mobile network.

Federal Member for Durack Melissa Price said it was a demonstration of the government’s commitment to eliminating mobile black spots in regional areas.

“I am thrilled to see we are delivering some more mobile phone towers to the Mid West, because I know how frustrating it can be in that area to be without mobile coverage,” she said.

“In my role, I am often out on the road travelling through my electorate, and I am acutely aware of how difficult life can be without mobile coverage.

“Through rounds 1 and 2 of the Mobile Black Spot campaign, the government committed to building nearly 150 towers in my electorate, which is a great result.

“It is even more exciting now, to see them being switched on, and people start to access those services,” Ms Price said.