Call is out for mobile blackspot areas

As the 3G mobile telephone network shuts down and a new round of government funding to address blackspots is in planning Member for Barker Tony Pasin is calling for residents to report mobile blackspots.

“In many areas of Barker mobile phone service has been 3G only. Being unable to make an emergency call is a dangerous plight for anyone but particularly for people living in regional communities where often distance between neighbours is often vast,” Mr Pasin said.

While the telecommunications companies gave their commitment that 3G-only areas will have no loss of coverage as a result of the switchover, Mr Pasin said the proof will be in the pudding.

“I have serious concerns that the 3G switch off will exacerbate the blackspot problem,” Mr Pasin said.

Kangaringa Station located on the Ngarkat Highway at Shaugh has been eagerly awaiting 4G service to improve safety and productivity of the business.

The business produces around 65,000 tonnes of potatoes and 20,000 tonnes of onions annually together with 13,000 head of livestock on the 85,000 acre property that employs over 55 people during peak season.

Kangaringa general manager Jason Kirk said the minimal phone reception has been a burden on growing the business.

“There has always been minimal phone reception at the best of times with 3G. As a company we have invested in repeaters and wireless dishes to boost and push signals around the farm and to our houses to help our staff communicate and stay in touch. Upgrading and replacing software and equipment has come at a large cost to our business with no guarantee it will work or be of any benefit,” Mr Kirk said.

“We need mobile phone service, not just to communicate verbally with people, but also for our 35 tractors, and our centre pivots. It’s a vital tool of doing business.

“Over and above this, safety is always a major worry for us, for our employee’s and all the people and vehicles that use the Ngarkat Highway daily. The highway is the major route for anybody travelling from Riverland and Mallee to the Limestone Coast or into Victoria. If there is a fire or emergency there is no service or very limited.

“We have been told that there will be a mobile phone tower constructed to improve the 4G service but at this stage still nothing has started.”

Primary Producers further south in the Limestone Coast have shared similar concerns. Christie Gapp of Maaoupe said their property and home premises were now left with weak to no mobile service since the 3G switch off.

“Service in most of our paddocks is now obsolete. Inside our house is now non-existent. We purchased a new Pivot which is based in Coonawarra – it is supposed to be able to be used via our phone, but connectivity issues means it can’t be. That’s just one example of how we can’t move forward with technology. It’s like one step forward, two steps back,” Ms Gapp said.

“And obviously this year there are extreme concerns around fire dangers due to the dry conditions. It’s pretty scary that they have turned 3G off for those of us that rely on it. We’re definitely in a worse position now than we were before the 3G switch off.”

Mr Pasin said shutting down 3G before the new towers have been completed is a major failure of the Federal Government which is letting the regions down.

“I simply don’t trust the Labor Government on regional telecommunications and while I’m fighting for a long list of locations in Barker to receive new mobile base stations through Federal Government funding programs, I’m expecting that in the absence of 3G, this list will grow,” Mr Pasin said.

“That’s why I’m asking residents to report mobile blackspots through my website, so that I can fight for upgraded coverage.

“Modern expectations regarding mobile telecommunications are simply not being met by the telcos or this Labor Government. A mobile phone is no longer a luxury, it’s a vital business tool and for regional residents a key piece of safety equipment.”

Mr Pasin is encouraging residents to report any mobile blackspots, old or new, at https://www.tonypasin.com/report_a_mobile_black_spot