Extending battery back-up for regional and remote phone towers

Mobile phone towers will be able to keep operating longer if the power goes out during or after natural disasters, thanks to a major new investment by the Morrison McCormack Government.

The Government is providing $13.2 million to Telstra, Optus and TPG to extend the battery back up at 467 mobile phone towers to provide a minimum of 12 hours of back-up power.

“Telecommunications - including mobile phone towers - rely on power to operate. This investment will allow mobile phone towers to keep operating for at least 12 hours after the power goes out, making a real difference for communities during and after a natural disaster,” Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said.

Minister for Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP, said extending the battery life of the mobile phone towers would increase telecommunications resilience in regional and remote communities

“The Government continues to support for communities in fire-affected regions across Australia. This investment is part of the $650 million bushfire recovery relief package I announced with the Prime Minister in May 2020,” Minister Littleproud said.

Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, the Hon Mark Coulton MP, said the funding will go towards upgrades at specific sites funded under Round 1 and 2 Mobile Black Spot Program.

“The Government is committed to investing in regional communities and its emergency services to keep Australians connected, especially during and after natural disasters,” Minister Coulton said.

More information on the program is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications website.