Telstra Coverage Boost On The Way For Central West And Orana Communities

New or improved Telstra mobile coverage will be delivered across a host of Central West and Orana communities as part of a $12 million local investment to help deliver the most advanced, resilient and reliable mobile network in the region.

The series of upgrades and new construction projects is being rolled out over the next 12 months, and follows Telstra’s announcement earlier this year that it would increase its national mobile network investment by $800 million over four years to deliver the connectivity needed to support customers in years to come.[1]Telstra Regional General Manager for Northern NSW Michael Marom said the multi-million dollar funding would help deliver better coverage and performance in the region, now and into the future.

“We have a long history of investing in regional communities, and we know mobile connection plays such a huge role in all our lives as well as our futures, whether we’re in town or in the paddock, at home or on the job,” Mr Marom said.

“Data carried across our mobile network has more than tripled over the last five years. This investment will help us further expand our mobile coverage and increase the capacity on our 5G network.

“Our investment includes over 35 new projects to upgrade our mobile network in locations like Gilgandra, Lithgow and Orange and we’re scoping other opportunities in the region to further expand our coverage.”

Telstra has begun upgrading hundreds of mobile sites at its busiest locations around the country with Ericsson’s AIR 3284, the world’s first 5G tripleband radio – a technology that boosts capacity, improves coverage and is central to building a high-performing, programmable network.

“Customers near the upgraded sites should see and feel a difference with noticeable improvements to speeds and overall experience from this year especially while using their mobile in busy areas,” Mr Marom said.

“This includes better streaming, faster uploads, and more reliable connectivity during peak times.”

Satellite to mobile technologyIn addition to benefiting from the significant investment on the ground, eligible Telstra customers with a compatible phone can now also access Australia’s first satellite to mobile product – Telstra Satellite Messaging which allows customers to send and receive a text message via Starlink Direct to Cell satellites when they’re outside the reach of Telstra’s mobile coverage area.

“This capability will enable basic texting on your phone in some of Australia’s hardest to reach places. It will be helpful to get a message out or to be contactable in remote areas where our mobile network doesn’t reach.

“While satellite to mobile messaging is an exciting new technology it’s important to remember the service will initially be limited to messaging only while outside with a clear line of sight to the sky,” Mr Marom said.

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