The Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) is a government initiative that invests in telecommunications infrastructure to improve mobile coverage and competition across Australia.
Under the MBSP to date (Rounds 1 to 7), the Australian Government’s commitment has generated a total investment of more than $1 billion, to improve mobile coverage across Australia. On 11 December 2023 the Minister for Communications announced the outcomes of the combined grant opportunity for Round 7 of the MBSP and Round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP). This funding is intended to deliver 43 new base stations across Australia to deliver new and improve mobile coverage to communities and improve highway coverage.
There will be further opportunities under the Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia through the $400 million committed to boost multi-carrier mobile coverage on regional roads, improve mobile coverage in underserved regional and remote communities, and increase the resilience of communications services and public safety communications facilities.
Council would like to urge residents and businesses to notify your telecommunication carrier, or the Minister for Communications, of any known Mobile Black Spots, to assist in the efforts to improve mobile coverage across our LGA and the region.
More information can be found here:
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/media-communications-arts/phone/mobile-services-and-coverage/mobile-black-spot-program or visit your telecommunication carrier’s website.