Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton pictured with Field Solutions Group (FSG) CEO Andrew Roberts. FSG has been awarded funding to establish six new base stations across the Parkes electorate.
Residents and travellers in the Parkes electorate are set to benefit from new and improved mobile coverage thanks to the latest round of the Australian Government’s highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton today announced 12 new base stations will be funded in his electorate under Round 5A of the program.
“It’s great news that mobile black spot issues in the Far West, Orana, Central West and Northern Inland areas of my electorate will be addressed,” Mr Coulton said.
“Base stations will be established at Borwon, Bullarah, Collymongle, Hermidale, Little Topar, Strathmore Road Dungalear, Tellegra, and along the Barrier Highway between Broken Hill and Little Topar Hotel, between Canbelego and Hermidale, and at Glenora and Miandetta.
“A trial roaming base station will also be established at Yamboon.
“I’m thrilled that these sites will provide improved mobile coverage for communities in these areas, allowing visitors and locals alike to stay connected, access health and education services, conduct business and remain in contact with family and friends.
“I look forward to working with the providers, Telstra and Field Solutions Group, so that building these mobile base stations can get underway.”
Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education, Senator Bridget McKenzie, said the Government has committed $20.5 million to fund 67 new mobile base stations across Australia.
“This announcement brings the total number of base stations being funded under our Mobile Black Spot Program to over 1,270 base stations, representing a total investment of over $875 million,” Minister McKenzie said.
“These base stations will improve coverage in disaster prone areas, along major transport corridors and trial new approaches to delivering coverage.
“The 67 base stations funded under Round 5A across regional and remote Australia will collectively deliver over 12,000 square kilometres of new and improved handheld coverage. The Government is committed continuing to work with industry and state and local governments to improve mobile coverage and connectivity across Australia.”
More information about the expected timing of the rollout will be made available on the websites of the successful Mobile Network Operators and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers.
The full list of base stations funded under Round 5A of the MBSP is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.
Mobile Black Spot Program Round 5A – Parkes electorate base stations:
| Provider | Location | LGA | Type |
| Telstra | Barrier Highway (Between Broken Hill and Little Topar Hotel) | Unincorporated NSW | Macrocell |
| Telstra | Barrier Highway (Between Canbelego and Hermidale) | Bogan Shire | Macrocell |
| Field Solutions Group | Borwon | Walgett Shire | Macrocell |
| Field Solutions Group | Bullarah | Moree Plains Shire | Macrocell |
| Field Solutions Group | Collymongle | Moree Plains Shire | Macrocell |
| Telstra | Glenora Barrier Highway | Unincorporated NSW | Macrocell |
| Telstra | Hermidale | Bogan Shire | Small Cell |
| Telstra | Little Topar | Unincorporated NSW | Small Cell |
| Telstra | Miandetta Barrier Highway | Bogan Shire | Macrocell |
| Field Solutions Group | Strathmore Road Dungalear | Walgett Shire | Macrocell |
| Field Solutions Group | Tellegra | Moree Plains Shire | Macrocell |
| Field Solutions Group | Yamboon | Gwydir Shire | Macrocell – Trial (Roaming) |
