New Telstra mobile coverage in Central Australia

More phones are ringing in central Australia with Telstra switching on mobile coverage in seven new locations in recent weeks.

Kulgera, Kings Canyon, Stuarts Well, Curtin Springs, Dunmarra and Devils Marbles have recently had a Telstra small cell base station installed at their roadhouses, providing new 4G mobile coverage for visitors and locals.

As part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspot Program, a new 31-metre high tower was also switched on in late January this year in Imanpa, delivering Telstra 3G and 4GX mobile coverage to this remote community.

More 4G coverage is also on its way, with the planned installation of a Telstra 4G small cell at Renner Springs being delayed due to recent flooding with discussions still ongoing with the roadhouse landowner at Wycliffe Wells.

Outside of central Australia, Telstra has also completed new 4G small cell base stations in Litchfield Tourist Park and Bark Hut Inn at Kakadu, with a further site still in negotiation for Wangi Falls.

Telstra is fully funding the construction of these 11 new small cells, while the base station at Imanpa was jointly funded by Telstra and the Federal Government.

“For Territorians and visitors to the NT, we know that connectivity is really important,” said Andrew Penn, Telstra’s Chief Executive Officer.

“While we have the country’s largest mobile network and provide coverage to almost 96% of the Territory’s population, the sheer size of the NT provides us with many challenges,” he said.

“By investing $2m in these 11 small cell sites, we are now able to deliver Telstra coverage at more places where people stop to eat, sleep, or refuel, enabling them to be able to connect with family and friends.

“It also encourages travellers to spend longer at these locations, providing more opportunities for local businesses and supporting tourism experiences.”

About Telstra Small Cell Base Stations

A small cell base station is a mini version of a standard mobile tower. It is an ideal solution for providing new and improved mobile services to isolated or remote locations and communities where a larger base station may not be technically or commercially viable to build. They provide 4G mobile coverage and are connected to the Telstra network by either optic fibre cables or satellite links.

The range of 4G coverage will vary depending on local conditions but may provide mobile handheld coverage of several hundred metres and could be increased if customers are using an external aerial or approved mobile phone repeater.

Telstra Media contact:

Chris Marks - Telstra Public Affairs

E: chris.marks@team.telstra.com

Media reference number: 016/2021