New tower increases connection

BETTER mobile coverage is now in place for Telstra users around Shelford with input from the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.

Both 4G and 5G connections have been expanded for the area following the construction of a new Telstra mobile base station off Rokewood-Shelford Road west of the township.

Shelford resident Stephen Gilligan said the new tower is the result of a decade of advocacy.

“We started with a petition at the [Shelford] Duck Race and we got just over 200 signatures and that petition was presented to Federal Parliament in May, 2014,” he said.

“It’s been a long process but we finally got there.

“This will mean things will be a lot safer for the town. The oval can be used as a staging area for the CFA whereas it couldn’t before because we didn’t have mobile phone reception. “When I got here 15 years ago we had dial-up internet and no mobile phone reception and mobile internet. We’re really lucky compared to some areas.”

The Mobile Black Spot Program has seen more than $1 billion from the government with contributions from national mobile network operators including Optus, Telstra, and TPG Telecom.

The tower is being launched with a morning tea today from 10.15am, after which an info session on the impending closure of 3G coverage next month will take place at Teesdale from 12pm to 4pm opposite the general store.

Telstra regional engagement manager for northern and western Victoria Marcus Swinburne encouraged everyone to come to the launch. “It’s an opportunity for us to come together with Golden Plains Shire and our local Federal Member Catherine King to recognise the journey the community’s been on,” he said.

“This is a Telstra tower but any other provider can co-locate on the tower which means they put their own equipment on it. For now, it’s a Telstra tower.

“There aren’t any plans as yet that I’m aware of for other providers to co-locate but there is the opportunity if they want to.”

Mr Swinburne estimated the provider has about 20 million devices utilising its mobile network daily, averaging about 60 million phone calls and 40 million texts and using 8.6 million gigabytes of mobile data.