Federal cash to bring connectivity

BROADBAND coverage and mobile connectivity at Rokewood is set to see a boost following funding from the Federal Government.

The town will be one of three in the Ballarat electorate to receive greater coverage as part of the Regional Connectivity Program, the other two being Trentham and Sailors Falls.

With fixed wireless broadband to be introduced to the other locations, a macro mobile site is set to be installed at Rokewood to improve handheld capacity for the region.

Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said it’s important to have good coverage across the region.

“Access to reliable mobile coverage and connectivity is essential,” she said.

“When your phone or internet doesn’t work, you can’t keep in touch with family and friends, run your business, or access essential services taken for granted in major cities, like tele-health.

“The Albanese Government is committed to narrowing the digital divide through targeted programs like the Regional Connectivity and Mobile Black Spot programs.

“We know that these investments will make a meaningful difference to regional communities, and ensure that locals can stay connected.”

Telstra will be suppling the service at the Rokewood sites, with work costing more than $660,000 and is aimed at improving mobile voice and data.

The installations are among the Federal Government’s 136 projects aimed at strengthening receptions for regional, rural and First Nations communities, with more than $170 million allocated.

Bringing amenities like free public wi-fi, mobile data, fixed wireless and optical fibre to the locations, the initiative falls under the Federal Government’s $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan.

The projects have been added to with more than $106 million from State and industry cash.

The installation schedule for each project will be available on the carriers’ websites once development contracts have been awarded.

In 2018 Rokewood received a new Optus tower as part of the Mobile Black Spot program.