Tower a farm game changer

Arrowsmith farmers Ray and Craig Morgan have cemented their place in history with the launch of Australia’s 700th Telstra mobile base station near their property late last month.

The father and son who farm between Arrowsmith and Three Springs said the site made a significant difference to the way they operated as well as providing coverage along nearby roads.

“Having mobile coverage makes a wonderful difference,” Ray Morgan said.

“Out here a mobile phone is an important part of a bloke’s business, such as trying to get the latest information on weather before deciding to move stock or whether to spray a paddock.”

Ray’s son Craig said they very much appreciated having mobile phone access across most of the farm without having to walk up a hill to make a call.

“Now we can access the latest data and information on the go and not have to wait or make a special journey to a user-friendly site,” he said.

Ray said the Arrowsmith East mobile site also provided the final section of coverage that enabled motorists to be connected along the 100km drive from Mingenew to Eneabba.

“There is a section of road dubbed ‘Hazards’ by the locals,” he said. “It lives up to its namesake and it’s very comforting to know mobile coverage is on hand and available to help anybody who may need assistance.”

Telstra executive Nikos Katinakas said completing the 700th site marked more than four years of hard work by local technicians working to deliver coverage to some of the world’s most isolated places.

“We can sometimes take for granted what mobile connectivity can mean,” Mr Katinakas said.

“For these communities mobile coverage has meant the ability to do the simple things, EFTPOS transactions, call and message with family and fast mobile broadband to stream and download content.”

Mr Katinakas said during the program’s rollout more than 45,000 emergency 000 calls had been made, some in the most isolated parts of Australia.

New and improved coverage to communities also enables customers to watch Netflix and keep in touch with family and friends more easily.