Out to Sea Mobile Network Coverage
Our mobile and wireless coverage maps show that the predicted coverage area of the Next G® network can typically extend 20 to 70 km out to sea from mobile base stations located near the coast.
Factors beyond Telstra's control such as the weather, tides, sea conditions and your antenna installation (type and height above sea level) can significantly influence coverage, data speed and performance. As a result, the Next G network must not be relied upon as a primary method of emergency communication at sea.
Coverage tips
- To assist your mobile and wireless services when out to sea, you should use a directly connected external antenna - one that is omnidirectional or a specialist marine antenna capable of ‘tracking’ to the best serving base station. The antenna should be mounted as high as possible on your vessel.
- In order for a service out to sea to work effectively, line of sight to the terrestrial base station is required. This is influenced by the height of the serving base station, land based obstructions such as trees and buildings, as well as the general topography of the land, which can block signals. Coverage will not be reliable over the horizon from a mobile base station even though it may be usable at times.
To view likely Out to Sea coverage, search our coverage maps.
Out to sea video
- Watch a short video about how to maximise Next G coverage whilst at sea.
Things you need to know
All mobile devices have been tested to operate within the handheld coverage contours of the advertised coverage maps. Mobile telephone coverage depends on where you are, the handset you are using and whether it has an external antenna attached. For tips, visit the Maximise Your Coverage page.
Customers should be aware that the Telstra wireless coverage maps displayed have been created using tools that predict the likely areas of coverage. Not every particular location within the identified coverage areas has been individually tested for coverage. This means that while the footprint of coverage outlined on the maps is generally accurate, there will be specific areas described as being within a coverage area where a customer's device will not work. This is a common characteristic of wireless systems. For example, coverage could be degraded or not existent in specific locations due to certain physical structures or geographic features or as a result of the device used. Physical structures which may block or inhibit coverage could include basements, lifts, underground car parks, concrete buildings, tunnels and road cuttings. Geographic features which may block or inhibit coverage could include formations such as hills and mountains or even trees.
Data speeds experienced on Telstra's wireless networks may be affected by network availability, the type and configuration of customer equipment, the performance of external networks (for example the internet), the signal strength of the device used and other factors such as the type of application.
The offshore coverage shown is only indicative of where a Next G device may operate. Factors beyond Telstra's control such as the weather, tides, sea conditions and the customer's installation (type and height of antenna above sea level) can significantly influence the actual user experience of coverage, data speed and performance. Public mobile networks must not be relied upon as a primary method of emergency communication at sea.
