A SUCCESSFUL pilot of mobile signal repeaters has given the green light for better mobile coverage for train commuters between Geelong and Melbourne.<\/p>\n
The state government\u2019s Regional Rail Connectivity Project will improve mobile coverage and connectivity for commuters along the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour rail lines \u2013 which see more than 15.5 million passenger trips annually.<\/p>\n
Testing has demonstrated that mobile coverage improves from less than 50 per cent at the moment to almost full network coverage on the five rail lines when an on-train mobile coverage booster is installed.<\/p>\n
This will be coupled with up to 35 new mobile towers, including six along the Geelong-Melbourne line.<\/p>\n
The first mobile towers have already been built, and once boosters are installed passengers will notice a major improvement in their mobile signal.<\/p>\n
Trains will begin to be fitted with the technology from early next year and the entire VLocity fleet will have a booster on board by the end of 2018.<\/p>\n
The state government is partnering with the three major mobile carriers \u2013 Telstra, Vodafone and Optus \u2013 to construct the towers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn today\u2019s world, digital connectivity is crucial for people\u2019s lifestyles and for doing business,\u201d Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis program is making it fair for regional Victorian passengers by giving them faster, more reliable mobile coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A SUCCESSFUL pilot of mobile signal repeaters has given the green light for better mobile coverage for train commuters between Geelong and Melbourne. The state government\u2019s Regional Rail Connectivity Project will improve mobile coverage and connectivity for commuters along the Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour rail lines \u2013 which see more than 15.5 million […]<\/p>\n