Vodafone Australia has announced the expansion of 4G services in Central West NSW with the addition of nearly 1400 square kilometres to its mobile footprint in the region, while Optus yesterday announced a further $1.7 million spend for its network in Bathurst.
Both carriers are not backward in coming forward about spruiking their commitment to regional mobile investment, issuing regular updates about their network expansions.
Under the federal government’s Mobile Black Spot Programme, Vodafone has switched on a new mobile site at Jemalong near Forbes. The development expands Vodafone mobile voice and data services in the Jemalong Irrigation District and nearby Bedgerabong.
Vodafone’s mobile coverage in the Central West has also been extended with the construction of two new sites at Noonbinna outside Cowra and Weethalle near West Wyalong. The Noonbinna site provides coverage along parts of the Olympic Highway, Lachlan Valley Way and Noonbinna Road.
The new site at Weethalle works in conjunction with a new Vodafone mobile site near Tallimba to provide extended coverage between Weethalle and West Wyalong, and along parts of the Mid Western Highway.
The sites will cover a combined total of 1387 square kilometres of additional coverage, with 152 kilometres of coverage along major transport routes and national highways.
Vodafone says it is committed to investing in regional areas where it makes sense to do so, and is also pushing for regulatory arrangements that will deliver Australia’s best opportunity to drive mobile investment.
Vodafone regional manager Rhys Morgan said Vodafone’s new sites in the Central West were the latest steps in the company’s ongoing network investment to support ever-increasing demand for mobile connectivity and services in the area.
Meanwhile, Optus announced a $1.7 million commitment to further improve its 4G Plus mobile network in Bathurst.
Optus state manager for New South Wales, Dylan Harrad-Chantler, said “Once work is completed, customers will benefit from fewer call drop outs, better indoor and outdoor coverage and improved streaming to mobile devices.
“In the next 12 to 18 months, we will build four new sites in Bathurst CBD, along the Bathurst-Oberon Road, Bathurst South-West and Napoleon Reef.”
Source: https://www.itwire.com/telecoms-and-nbn/80206-vodafone-and-optus-boost-4g-regional-coverage.html