Faster internet coming for Maranoa

April 1, 2022

Maranoa MP David Littleproud says the Coalition Federal Government’s decisive $1.3 Billion Budget investment in regional telecommunications will deliver major mobile coverage and internet service improvements for local residents and businesses.

“Telecommunications are vital to my Maranoa constituents’ lives and livelihoods, and this new investment will see the roll-out of multitudes of new mobile towers across the electorate, as well as major upgrades to nbn networks,” he said.

“The investment will include a new $811.8 million Connecting Regional Australia Program to expand mobile coverage and resilience, with this program building on the existing Mobile Black Spot Program and the Regional Connectivity Program.

“In total, this program will vastly increase mobile coverage and address blackspots on up to 8,000 kilometres of roads and adjacent households, businesses and tourist hotspots in regional Australia – and with my Maranoa electorate covering approximately 43 per cent of regional Queensland, this means my constituents will have significantly more mobile coverage during their daily activities and regional travels.

“Importantly, the program will also deliver improved resilience of mobile towers against natural disasters, meaning many more Maranoa communities will have back-up generators installed at their local mobile tower exchanges to ensure their mobile services will continue to work during power outages.”

Mr Littleproud highlighted Maranoa residents and businesses will also benefit substantially from the Coalition Government’s investment of $480 million towards the delivery of higher speed broadband to premises on NBN Co’s fixed wireless and satellite networks.

“The Government is allocating $480 million in grant funding towards a $750 million upgrade of the entire NBN fixed wireless network by the end of 2024, with the balance to be funded by NBN Co,“ he said.

“The upgrade will extend the NBN fixed wireless footprint coverage by up to 50 per cent, enabling 120,000 additional premises in regional areas to access fixed wireless services instead of Sky Muster satellite services.

“These enhancements to existing capabilities mean premises within the expanded fixed wireless footprint will receive much higher speeds, including during the network busy hour.  These upgrades will also provide additional data allowances and extended off-peak periods for those on Sky Muster satellite services.”

Mr Littleproud additionally emphasised the Federal Government’s overall commitment to addressing the issues identified in the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review – a Review which assessed the adequacy of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia and made key recommendations to improve regional services now and into the future.

“Our Government is resolutely committed to providing our regions – the powerhouses of our nation – with the telecommunications services they need to continue to grow and develop, with our response to the Review not only including these major Budget investments towards building more mobile towers and conducting nbn upgrades, but also a focus on trials of new technologies in remote areas, improved affordability of services and enhanced community awareness of service types and options.”

“I want my Maranoa constituents to have the very best affordable telecommunications services at the ready to help them with their everyday lives, whether that be for a farmer who needs mobile service to call the local mechanic from their back paddock or a remote-based university student who needs reliable internet to complete an online exam, and this investment will help to achieve that.”