Improved digital connectivity for King Island and Tasmania

Mobile connectivity on King Island is set for a major upgrade with $9.8 million through the Morrison Government’s Regional Connectivity Program.

The project will improve the telecommunications network on King Island by upgrading the microwave transmission link between Victoria and King Island, increasing the available capacity by more than six-fold. The upgrade will also deliver several new 4G sites built on the island, and existing sites upgraded to provide new and enhanced mobile services to residents and businesses.

Announcing the project this morning from Currie in King Island with the Minister for Communications, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, the Federal Member for Braddon, Mr Gavin Pearce MP, said the Regional Connectivity Program’s highly-localised approach to improving connectivity will create real change in regional communities across Tasmania, none more so than on King Island.

“This is a great day. For decades, politicians from all sides have been visiting King Island, promising to improve communications. Today, my promise to King Island becomes a reality”

“High-speed, reliable broadband and mobile services will be a game changer for King Island. Connectivity equals opportunities: opportunities for students to reach their full potential; opportunities for businesses to flourish; opportunities for families to stay connected to loved ones; opportunities for tourism and industry to develop. The list goes on and on.”

Through the Regional Connectivity Program, more than $14.6 million, including $8 million in direct RCP funding, will fund five projects in Tasmania, including increasing bandwidth capacity to nine regional schools, upgrading technology in Geeveston to support local industries, increasing capacity at the Greenhill Observatory to enhance Australia’s sovereign space capability and upgrading mobile coverage in Jericho – one of the oldest townships in Australia.

The Morrison Government is contributing $90.3 million (GST inclusive) to the RCP Program nationally.