Dawson Deserves Reliable Mobile Coverage

Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox is calling for residents to make submissions into the ACCC’s Regional Mobile Infrastructure Inquiry.

“I am in full support of this inquiry and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) recent decision to rule out a 10 – year mobile infrastructure sharing deal with Telstra and TPG Telecom because more than 700 towers would have been lost.

“The former Coalition Government funded more than 1200 new or upgraded mobile base stations under their Mobile Phone Black Spot Program, which the telcos benefited from. When Labor came to Government, they cut the Mobile Black Spots Program by $37.5 million this will be the lowest level of investment since 2015,” Mr Willcox said.

“Phone coverage is a necessity in 2023. Access to reliable mobile phone coverage shouldn’t be a luxury that only those living in capital cities get to enjoy,” Mr Willcox said.

“In rural and regional Australia, we’re often a long distance from emergency services. When an emergency occurs, we simply cannot afford poor connectivity to prevent access to emergency aid.

“Telecommunications also have a great impact on local business operations and basic communication with friends and family in the bush.

“Even driving from Mackay to Bowen you struggle to have a conversation, because the service drops out frequently.

“These cuts to the Mobile Black Spot Program could have devastating effects and I am urging locals in Dawson to have their say.”

To access the survey: Regional Mobile Infrastructure Inquiry - Consumer Survey - Introduction - Australian Competition and Consumer Commission - Citizen Space (accc.gov.au)