Grant to improve mobile coverage in Torquay

MOBILE connectivity in Torquay during times of emergency will be improved through the latest round of the federal government’s Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP).

In the round 2 PUMP grants, $40.9 million will co-fund 47 projects in communities at risk of natural disasters.

Mobile tower infrastructure company Amplitel has received a grant to address longstanding mobile coverage and reception issues in Torquay.

The project will upgrade an existing Amplitel site to provide improved 4G and 5G coverage from TPG that will have back-up power supply of at least 12 hours.

This will allow services to operate for longer in the event of a mains power outage caused by a natural disaster.

The project is one of 16 successful projects in Victoria under Round 2 of PUMP.

The 16 projects will deliver more than 800sqkm of 4G and 5G new improved coverage to more than 35,000 homes and businesses.

The peri-urban fringe is defined as where the bush meets the suburbs, which creates a risk of natural disaster for people living and working there.

These areas have been historically underserved because of the high cost of deploying infrastructure, difficult terrain, planning challenges and lower population densities.

The PUMP Round 2 projects were recommended by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts following a competitive, merit-based process.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland visited the Geelong region last week to announce the project for Torquay.

“The Albanese Government understands how vital telecommunication services are for keeping communities safe, connected and informed during disruptions and natural disasters,” she said.

“Access to telecommunications coverage during a natural disaster can be the difference between life and death.

“This is why we are investing up to $100 million through our Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia to improve the resilience of networks against natural disasters.

“The PUMP projects are part of this commitment. Better connectivity will allow communities, like those around Torquay, to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters.

Ms Coker said the Torquay grant reflected her government’s commitment to improving the resilience of mobile networks across the Geelong region.

“While no network is ever 100 per cent disaster-proof, our government is determined to do what we can to boost the resilience of our telecommunications networks when local communities need them most.

“Living on the Surf Coast, I know just how important good mobile coverage can be for keeping locals and visitors safe, especially during the peak summer months – I look forward to seeing the connectivity boost this project will deliver for Torquay – it’s a great outcome for our region.”