The rural community of Kelso in Tasmania's north is now better connected thanks to the Albanese Government's Mobile Black Spot Program.
A new Telstra base station at Kelso means stronger mobile connectivity and better access to emergency services for people living, working and travelling within the region.
The project was co-funded by the Albanese Government and Telstra through the Mobile Black Spot Program.
The MBSP is one of the largest ever mobile coverage expansions in regional and remote Australia.
Funding has been awarded for more than 1,400 new mobile base stations, with a combined investment of more than $1 billion.
The completion of the Kelso site is part of more than $40 million invested through the Improving Mobile Coverage Round of the MBSP.
Funding for recent rounds of the program are part of the Government's $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, boosting connectivity right across the country to ensure no Australian is left behind.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Anika Wells:
"The Albanese Government has delivered improved connectivity for yet another regional community through our Mobile Black Spot Program.
"We are investing heavily in telecommunications infrastructure to keep communities connected right across Australia.
"The new base station at Kelso boosts productivity, access to services and helps people to stay in touch with their community and beyond."
Quotes attributable to Jess Teesdale, Member for Bass:
"We welcome this boost to connectivity so that everyone living and working in Kelso is able to stay better connected.
"Regional and rural parts of our beautiful country are no longer overlooked when it comes to mobile coverage, with the Albanese Government working to ensure every Australian stays connected.
"Importantly, it supports the vital work of the strong agricultural sector in Kelso, particularly in busy farming periods and during dangerous weather, and bolsters local tourism and small business."
Quotes attributable to Telstra Regional General Manager for Tasmania, Michael Patterson:
"As a company, we heavily invest in improving regional connectivity and this site is another example of our commitment.
"We know how important mobile connectivity is for Australians, and we can see this each day in our network data.
"This new site not only helps reduce mobile black spots in this area, it will also improve capacity and 4G coverage and provide additional Triple Zero connectivity for users on other mobile networks in times of emergency."
