The question concerns mobile phone coverage at Mount Augustus due to its increasing tourism. The answer details existing 3G coverage and a proposed 4G upgrade under consideration by the Federal Government, with potential delays noted.

AnsweredQoN 5843Legislative Assembly
Asked
28 November 2019
Portfolio
Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the critical importance of communication in the remote location of Mount Augustus, especially given its increasing popularity as a tourism destination, and I ask: (a) Are there plans in place to erect towers to
provide phone coverage to this region; (b) If yes, what are the locations and time frames
around the installation of phone towers; and (c) If no, why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
11 February 2020
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Regional Development; Agriculture and Food; Ports; Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development, Jobs and Trade
Response time
2 days
(a)        An Optus 3G installation was completed in December 2017 at Mount Augustus Tourist Park under Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.
(b) - (c) The State Government has put forward priority sites for consideration to the Federal Government under Round 5 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.  Our list included an upgrade to 4G in Round 5 of the Mobile Black Spot Program, with sites to be formally announced by the Commonwealth Government in early 2020.  We presume that in light of recent controversies with Commonwealth grant applications, this announcement may take longer than expected.

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