Better mobile coverage on roads, as well as improved connectivity for regional communities and on farms, will lead an Albanese Labor Government’s approach to upgrading regional telecommunications.

Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann said a key element of our plan is to establish a five-year $400 million fund to expand multi-carrier mobile coverage along roads, as well as for regional homes and businesses. 

“One of the most common issues constituents raise with me is telecommunications, particularly through rural communities and new suburbs,” Mr Neumann said.

“I get complaints from residents and businesses from throughout the vast electorate of Blair – from Linville to Lowood, Springfield to Somerset Dam and Rosewood to Ripley.

“Families need reliable, fast connectivity for school and work, small businesses and enterprises need it to stay competitive and our rural communities need it for all that as well as safety.

“One of our first priorities in 2022, should we be elected, if to undertake an independent audit of mobile coverage as a guide for future priorities.

“Our plan will appoint a partner company capable of placing mobile signal measurement devices on Australia Post’s transport assets, to gather the best information possible.”

In addition, Labor will commit $200 million to continue investing in local connectivity projects.

Projects could include better mobile voice and data coverage, targeted fibre deployments, and improved microwave and fibre backhaul capacity to locations across regional and remote locations.

“Labor understands that 21^st century farming requires 21^st century technology.

“A Labor Government will provide a $30 million farm connectivity program to enable more farmers to extend connectivity in their fields to take advantage of connected machinery and sensor technology.

“We cannot expect a better future without better farming.”

Mr Neumann said these initiatives supplement existing commitments Labor has made to:

• Expand full-fibre NBN access to 660,000 more regional homes and businesses.
• Upgrade the NBN fixed-wireless network to offer speeds between 100 to all users, and 250 megabits per second for up to 85 per cent of users.
• Increase NBN satellite data allowances to 90 gigabytes a month and unmetered data between midnight and 4 pm, with an ambition to go beyond 100 gigabytes.