BETTER mobile phone coverage is shaping up as an election issue in Bowman, after federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott announced an LNP government would spend $100million improving coverage across the nation.
Mr Abbott’s policy includes $80 million to expand mobile phone coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in areas prone to natural disasters.
It also includes $20 million to rectify mobile black spots and target unique coverage problems, such as North Stradbroke Island experiences in peak periods over the Christmas holidays.
Bowman MP Andrew Laming, a coalition backbencher, guaranteed Redland suburbs would be included in the funding handout, designed to provide 250 new mobile sites nationally.
Mr Laming said Bowman suburbs could expect to see some of the $80million for expanding coverage within the first three years of a Coalition government.
He also said places which suffered mobile phone saturation during peak holiday periods, such as North Stradbroke Island, would be eligible for some of the $20million black spot money.
Mr Laming identified Wellington Point, Alexandra Hills, Redland Bay, Mount Cotton and the southern bay islands as having poorest mobile coverage but said before they were eligible for funding council and the carriers had to deem them as black spots.
“I sent copies of Bayside Bulletin stories (Phone users not happy with coverage) about where the black spots are in Bowman to Shadow Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull earlier this year,” Mr Laming said.
“Councils will play a large part in identifying and prioritising areas that need the funding, which will be allocated to carriers and local councils.
“They will also have to approve expansions to the coverage and the towers,” he said.
Mr Laming said the council would not be involved if a carrier decided to add capacity to an existing tower but any new tower would need council approval.
Redland City Council said it was not its role to identify black spots but would work with the next government to improve mobile coverage in the city.
“Our city needs both better mobile and broadband coverage if we are to remain competitive, grow our local economy, create local jobs and put the Redlands on the map,” mayor Karen Williams said.
Labor candidate for Bowman Darryl Briskey said the LNP’s mobile phone policy was behind what the ALP was proposing.
“NBN Co has already entered into agreements with both Telstra and Optus to use NBN infrastructure to improve mobile coverage,” Mr Briskey said.
“If elected, my focus will be on getting the NBN delivered across the Redlands as quickly as possible because this is the telecommunication investment that will benefit Bowman the most.”
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