Lake Clifton identified as a priority location for latest Mobile Black Spot Program round

On Wednesday the government announced the commencement of a tender process for the latest round, which aims to improve mobile coverage around Australia.

The announcement will see the government commit $60 million to priority black spot locations, on top of the $160 million already committed under the first two funding rounds of the program.

Of the original list of 125 priority locations announced during the 2016 election campaign, 19 locations have already successfully been addressed under round two of the program and through carriers expanding their own networks. 

So far no locations in Western Australia, including Lake Clifton, have been removed from the original list of 125 priority locations. 

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Telecommunications providers will bid to deliver coverage to priority locations by nominating the amount of Commonwealth funding sought, their own proposed co-contribution, funding from state and local governments and other sources.

Bids will be assessed by the Department of Communications on a value-for-money basis.

According to the Fire and Emergency Services (FES) commissioner’s Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas, Lake Clifton is an area of concern. 

More than 312 new or improved mobile base stations have already been delivered under the first two rounds of the Mobile Black Spot Program, with a new base station now being switched on every working day, on average.

Telstra, Vodafone and Optus are on track to deliver all 765 base stations funded under the first two rounds by the end of 2018, and successful bidders for the additional 106 priority locations will also be expected to complete the rollout by the end of 2018.

Outcomes of the tender process are expected to be announced in coming months.

The guidelines for the priority locations round are available at:www.communications.gov.au/mbsp

The 2017 edition of the Map of Bush Fire Prone Areas is available by clicking here.