SMEATON is one of 14 Victorian towns to receive a 4G small cell base station as part of a $165 million Telstra fund.
The $165 million commitment to improving phone coverage in regional areas will see 135 stations built across the country.
The initiative is linked to the the federal government’s mobile black spot program
A small cell station is a miniature version of a standard mobile base station that is traditionally used to boost coverage and capacity in densely populated urban areas.
The technology uses small cells to deliver 4G data services to a selected area in small towns and communities.
Smeaton has not received a funded base station as part of the black spot program.
The 14 small cells sites across Victoria, which are funded solely by Telstra, are in addition to 109 Victorian communities of 429 areas nation-wide who will benefit from the round one roll-out of the mobile black spot program.
Telstra Area General Manager Steve Tinker said the additional small cell funding will help boost coverage in rural and remote towns.
“The growing use of mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets is changing the way we live,” he said.
“We don’t just make calls with them anymore, we do so much more,”
“The introduction of fast 4G data services via a small cell in these locations will mean residents will be able to access social media and video on the go for the first time as well as increased opportunities for local businesses.”
Michael Pollock
Transport and infrastructure reporter.
Transport and infrastructure reporter.
