THE rural community of Wilga is now experiencing potentially life-saving improved mobile phone coverage and wireless broadband services, thanks to the State Government’s Royalties for Regions $40million Regional Mobile Communications Project (RMCP).
Commerce Minister Michael Mischin said the project, undertaken by Telstra, had delivered countless benefits to residents in regional, rural and remote Western Australia.
“The new connectivity in Wilga, which is surrounded by native State forest, means that Shire of Boyup Brook employees can now use mobile phones rather than radio, and emergency services are able to attend call-outs faster than ever before,” Mr Mischin said.
“Improving mobile voice and high-speed data coverage in regional areas is critical to achieving a range of outcomes, from increasing safety and reducing emergency response times to improving business and educational opportunities, health and liveability.”
The RMCP has improved mobile coverage across more than 95,000 square kilometres in WA. Highway 1 now has almost continuous coverage.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said commencing next year, the State Government’s new $45million Regional Telecommunications Project would deliver further communications towers in small communities and at strategic sites, to boost reception across WA.
“Both projects are instrumental in supporting people living, working and travelling in the State’s vast regional areas,” Mr Redman said.
“Mobile and internet connectivity is vital to social and economic development in country WA and I am pleased Royalties for Regions is bridging this digital divide that previously existed.”
More information at http://www.commerce.wa.gov.au/digitaleconomyRMCP
