General News
22 January, 2024
Phone dropouts hinder emergency connection
LODDON communities have been hit with poor mobile phone reception and connectivity as floods roll across the region. A Christmas Day connection dropout saw at least one provider off the air for five hours. Optus said: “We are aware some Optus...
LODDON communities have been hit with poor mobile phone reception and connectivity as floods roll across the region.
A Christmas Day connection dropout saw at least one provider off the air for five hours.
Optus said: “We are aware some Optus customers in Wedderburn and Inglewood experienced an unplanned disruption to their mobile service on December 25 at about 8:30am.
“An Optus field technician attended the site and power was restored shortly after midday.
“We apologise to affected customers and thank them for their patience.”
However, the spokeperson did not acknowledge the flood emergency gripping the region.
Australia’s No 2 telecommunications provider last year said: “Australia’s vastness and terrain can make it difficult for any operator to provide mobile coverage everywhere it is needed – especially in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
“Our work with SpaceX aims to bring the coverage capabilities of satellites direct to compatible mobile handsets without the need for customers to buy additional equipment.”
The Optus’ collaboration with SpaceX is expected to roll out late this year.
Telstra did not comment on service challenges faced in local communities on Christmas Day but regional general manager Steve Tinker said: “We have a number of projects in the pipeline to expand and improve our coverage in the Loddon region.
“This includes continuing to expand our 5G coverage to communities like Inglewood and Moliagul in the next few months and planning is also underway for a new mobile site in Bridgewater and further 5G expansion to Dingee, Pyramid Hill, and Tanagulla.
“These projects are in addition to the recent construction of a new mobile base station at Boort and a 4G small cell in Bridgewater.
“Providing regional connectivity is not just a Telstra responsibility. It’s a challenge that must be shared between Federal, State and local governments and with providers such as the nbn, us and other mobile carriers.”
“We continually investigate new opportunities to further expand our mobile coverage, including co-investment opportunities such as the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program and Regional Connectivity Program.”
Mr Tinker said Telstra had been working with Loddon Shire Council to identify priority areas where “we could co-invest, as well as develop a digital connectivity plan which will ensure we are aligned in our approach to closing the digital divide experienced and supporting digital inclusion throughout Loddon Shire.”
The council’s tourism and economic development manager David Stretch said: “Telstra’s regional engagement manager sent a note just prior to Christmas indicating the first draft of the Loddon Connectivity Plan would be provided to the Shire in February 2024.
“Once the plan is confirmed by Council and Telstra we will be generating a press release,” Mr Stretch told the Loddon Herald.