Commonwealth welcomes Victorian Government's Commitment to Mobile Coverage

Paul Fletcher MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications, has today welcomed the Victorian Government’s $40 million commitment to addressing mobile coverage blackspots and to deliver Wi-Fi on selected train services in Victoria.

“Today’s announcement by the Victorian Government notes that a collaborative process will commence soon with the Commonwealth Government and mobile infrastructure providers,” Mr Fletcher said.

“The Abbott Coalition Government has committed to spend $100 million nationally on improving mobile coverage in outer metropolitan, regional and remote communities.”

“The Victorian and Commonwealth Coalition Governments have held constructive discussions about coordinating the selection process under the two programmes to choose locations to be funded for new mobile phone base stations in Victoria.”

Mr Fletcher said the Commonwealth Department of Communications issued a discussion paper regarding the Mobile Coverage Programme in late 2013 and has received a very strong response from local councils, state and territory governments, and other interested parties backing the programme.

“We are determined to work constructively with potential partners to deliver the best possible outcome for regional and remote Australians living without adequate mobile coverage,” Mr Fletcher said. “By working together, I am confident that the Commonwealth and Victorian Coalition Governments will be able to make a difference for Victoria’s regional communities,” Mr Fletcher said.

More information on the Commonwealth’s Mobile Coverage Programme is available on the Department of Communications website at www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme