Scott rings changes for mobiles

THE Federal Government has $100 million to spend on improved mobile phone coverage, and Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott wants your input.
“The Coalition made an election commitment to invest $100 million to improve mobile phone coverage, starting from communities with the least mobile phone coverage,” Mr Scott said.
“This discussion paper is an opportunity for the people of Maranoa to provide input and to help make sure the electorate gets our fair share of the funding.”
At 731,297 square kilometres, the Maranoa is larger than some European countries and Mr Scott said the electorate is set to blossom under the Coalition’s mobile phone projects.
Mr Scott said his long history of advocacy is represented in the coalition’s Mobile Network Expansion Project and Mobile Black Spot Project.
The $80 million Mobile Network Expansion Project will improve mobile coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in areas that are prone to experiencing natural disasters.
The $20 million Mobile Black Spot Project will improve mobile coverage in locations with unique coverage problems.
“There are numerous regional and remote communities that don’t have access to adequate mobile phone coverage,” Mr Scott said.
“Lives depend on mobile phone networks in emergencies, so expanding mobile phone coverage has clear benefits to public safety – as well as to the productive capacity of regional communities.”
The discussion paper is available from the Department of Communications’ website at www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme
Discussion paper submissions need to be lodged before 5pm on 28 February 2014.