General News
4 February, 2024
MP only offers 'letters of support'
TELECOMMUNICATION regulatory guidelines must ensure mobile base stations can be used by all Australians no matter what telco they use, according to Mallee MP Anne Webster. Dr Webster said the need for reform was highlighted in the 2021 Regional...
TELECOMMUNICATION regulatory guidelines must ensure mobile base stations can be used by all Australians no matter what telco they use, according to Mallee MP Anne Webster.
Dr Webster said the need for reform was highlighted in the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review. A new review started this month.
Newbridge Arnold Llanelly Community Plan Committee wrote to Dr Webster after Loddon Shire’s bid for federal funding was rejected late November.
“Mobile reception is so poor that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible to summon help in emergencies,” president Helen Waite told Dr Webster.
“The ability to receive flood and fire warnings via the Vic-Emergency app is extremely variable, and generally non-existent.
“We are a relatively small and ageing community, but work hard to make our district attractive to new residents. However, it is almost impossible to do business or work remotely because mobile and internet services are so poor.
“It is a significant deterrent for new residents and businesses, and a cause of frustration and anger for existing businesses and makes them uncompetitive. We have also recently been advised that Telstra is planning to close the 3G network, further disenfranchising a relatively poor community. Repeated complaints to Telstra are met with condescending indifference and dissembling.”
The committee told Dr Webster that “it is appropriate that we ask you to intervene with Telstra and NBN on our behalf.”
Dr Webster, while sympathising with the community, told the committee: “Please continue to contact service providers, local council, state government and community groups to register your interest in a potential telecommunications project.
“I can also assist with a letter of support for any project application.”
Dr Webster told the Loddon Herald this week: “As Labor is in government and in control of the department, I will continue to work with groups such as Loddon Shire Council and Newbridge Arnold Llanelly Community Plan Committee to give them the best chance of receiving a future grant.”
She also said: “Late last year, in the wake of the Optus outage, I highlighted the need for mandated domestic mobile roaming in regional Australia.
“Mobile roaming ought to target regional, rural and remote Australia – which are the areas of greatest need.
“The Communications and Emergency Management Ministers have tasked their respective departments to work with carriers and report back by March on this topic. Mandated roaming will solve mobile issues at least when one network may have a stronger connection than others in certain areas.”
Dr Webster said all Victorian projects funded in the sixth round of the Mobile Phone Black Spot program were in Labour-held seats. She said grants for those seats, including the adjoining Bendigo electorate held by Lisa Chesters, had ignored Mallee communities “in desperate need of improved connectivity.
“In the modern world of telecommunications, regulatory guidelines must ensure mobile base stations can be used by all Australians no matter what telco they use. In my view telcos should be required to maintain mobile towers, not just landlines.”