Ipswich’s southern and eastern suburbs are on track to receive better mobile coverage thanks to an Albanese Labor Government investment in new mobile phone infrastructure in Ripley, Redbank Plains and Springfield.
The Government has awarded funding to tower company Waveconn to roll out newmobile phone towers and other infrastructure at three sites in Ripley Central, Eden’s Crossing (Redbank Plains) and Springfield Lakes to boost mobile reception in these locations and surrounding areas. TPG will deliver mobile services from the three sites.
This is part of a $40.9 million commitment to 47 projects to be delivered across the country through Round 2 of the Government’s Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP), following a competitive, merit-based grant process.
PUMP targets longstanding mobile coverage and connectivity issues for outer suburban areas, such as Ipswich, which are on the peri-urban fringe of Australia’s major cities. The program provides co-funding to the telco industry to support local projects.
The peri-urban fringe is where the bush meets the suburbs. These areas have been historically underserved because of the high cost of deploying infrastructure, difficult terrain, planning challenges and lower population densities.
The Albanese Government expanded the eligibility for Round 2 of PUMP in response to community feedback, allowing regional cities such as Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast to join places like Ipswich in benefitting from the program.
A new macro cell base station at Rosewood was delivered in December 2024 under Round 1 of PUMP, which provides new and improved 4G and 5G mobile coverage to an area which previously experienced limited coverage.
Co-contributions of $43 million are being made towards PUMP Round 2 projects by the telco industry and the Queensland Government, highlighting the collaborative approach to delivering better coverage for Australians.
PUMP complements other Albanese Government initiatives to improve telecommunications services across Australia, through the $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
For more information on PUMP Round 2, including the full list of funded solutions, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/pump
The project rollout schedule will be published on grantees’ websites once contracts are executed.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said the Albanese Government was improving mobile coverage across Australia, including along our peri-urban fringes, to ensure communities could stay in touch and receive information when they needed it most.
“Having access to reliable mobile coverage is now an essential part of modern life, and can be the difference between life and death during emergencies,” Minister Rowland said.
“Our government expanded the eligibile areas for this latest round of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program to cover more communities previously excluded from the program to ensure they get the investment they need to stay connected.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said natural disasters like the recent ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred highlighted the need for more reliable mobile services during emergencies.
“The Albanese Government is improving mobile coverage across Australia to ensure local communities can stay in touch and receive information when they need it most,” Mr Neumann said.
“I’m proud that three new mobile phone towers will now be delivered in Ipswich, funded under the Albanese Labor Government’s Peri-Urban Mobile Program, and will significantly boost mobile coverage for thousands of local residents.
“One of the new towers will be located in Ripley Central, improving coverage for Ripley, South Ripley and Deebing Heights. The second tower will be in Eden’s Crossing, which will enhance reception in Redbank Plains and White Rock. The third tower will be in Springfield Lakes, which will boost connectivity across the Greater Springfield area.
