Telstra, a leading Australian telecommunications company, has announced a significant upgrade to its mobile base station in Ballandean, aimed at delivering improved 4G services and introducing new 5G coverage to the local community.
While these enhancements are eagerly anticipated, residents are advised to brace for temporary outages or reduced mobile coverage during the upgrade period.
The upgrade, scheduled to take place from 5 December to 9 December, involves the addition of infrastructure to enhance both 4G and 5G capabilities. Telstra has assured customers that these temporary disruptions are a necessary part of the improvement process. Customers may have already received text messages notifying them of the upcoming works.
Telstra’s Regional General Manager, May Boisen, emphasised the commitment to minimising downtime.
“Our crews will be working during daylight hours for safety reasons, and we will only switch off the site when necessary, with the goal of restoring services as quickly as possible,“ Boisen said.
During the upgrade period, landline services, NBN internet services, and mobile coverage from other providers will remain unaffected. Telstra mobile users calling Triple Zero during any outages will have their calls automatically redirected to a working mobile network for emergency services connection.
Boisen acknowledged the inconvenience, stating, “There’s never a good time to undertake this sort of work, but once it is completed, it will mean better mobile services for residents.“
To mitigate the impact on connectivity during the upgrade, Telstra offers the following tips to residents:
Activate Wi-Fi Calling: Residents with access to a Wi-Fi signal at home or work are encouraged to activate Wi-Fi calling on their mobile phones, providing an alternative during temporary outages.
EFTPOS Terminals: Businesses relying on the Telstra network for EFTPOS terminals are advised to explore alternative connection methods, such as fixed-line or Wi-Fi/NBN internet connections, and contact their banks for guidance on maintaining continuous service.
The long-term benefits of the site upgrade include the introduction of 5G connectivity in Ballandean, offering an enhanced mobile experience for Telstra 5G device users. Additionally, customers on the Telstra 4G network will enjoy increased capacity, improving network connectivity and reducing congestion during peak usage.
May Boisen highlighted Telstra’s ongoing commitment to regional Australia, stating, “Over the past seven years, Telstra has invested $11 billion in our mobile network nationally, with $4 billion dedicated to our regional mobile network.“
Once completed, Ballandean will join over 4,900 Telstra 5G sites across Australia, providing 85 percent of Australians with access to the Telstra 5G network. Customers interested in accessing 5G on the Telstra network will need a 5G-capable device, potentially requiring an upgrade for some users.
