Copied this from this week's Workabout bulletin. Made me laugh.
The Federal Department of Communications has recently launched an initiative (called the Mobile Coverage Programme) to extend mobile phone coverage service in regional and remote areas.
As part of the programme, the Mobile Black Spots Project aims (in its first stage) to establish a list of locations that currently receive poor, or no mobile coverage. With that in mind, the Government have set up a system whereby you can report mobile black spots.
If you come across a black spot while travelling, you can report the location by:
Sending an email to mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au; or (How can we do this if we are in a black spot???)
By writing to or emailing your Federal Member of Parliament.
For more information on the project, you can go to www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme
rockylizard said
01:46 PM Jan 24, 2014
Gday...
Good initiative .. and ultimately, if heeded, should improve the situation. Have made a note to provide feedback.
However, I would go broke if I had to post in a report via snail-mail on 'dead/black spot' mobile coverage areas from the places I travel. Despite 99% of the population being covered by Telstra for instance, the percentage of 'the land' that is covered would perhaps be only about 50%.
There are huge tracts of land between towns NOT on major highways that are 'dead' - even in the eastern states.
[edit: PS - Mr Rabbit promised $100million during the election campaign to assist Telstra (and the other providers?) to erect towers to alleviate these problems - guess that has been absorbed by other 'issues' now they are in government.]
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 24th of January 2014 01:49:14 PM
brian said
02:36 PM Jan 24, 2014
rockylizard wrote:
[edit: PS - Mr Rabbit promised $100million during the election campaign to assist Telstra (and the other providers?) to erect towers to alleviate these problems - guess that has been absorbed by other 'issues' now they are in government.]
Cheers - John
I would say that you are spot on there John...
With the limited income at their disposal, they have to make up for the incredible waste and huge deficit created by those they replaced, with the only means available to them which will be cost cutting.
But don't worry..By the time the others get back in again we will be back in the black, so they can spend it all once again...Deja vu
GaryKelly said
05:51 PM Jan 24, 2014
I wonder why I haven't heard any supporters of political correctness complaining about the use of the term "black" spots hehe.
Santa said
06:36 PM Jan 24, 2014
Must say we were very impressed with Telstra mobile coverage during our recent trip across the Nullabor, up the top of WA then back down the centre, seldom a day passed where we were not in range of a tower.
In a country the size of Oz with a small population I reckon that's pretty darned good.
Dunmowin said
07:17 PM Jan 24, 2014
I agree Santa, there have not been too many spots so far since we left home 2 1/2 years ago, that I have not had some sort of range, with or without the aerial. Having said that, the project is a good idea, and if travellers like us can help by reporting back to Federal Dept of Communications, it may help us more in the future.
EllenajoeL said
09:30 PM Jan 24, 2014
it seems to me that this Govt initiative might benefit rural and remote residents/travellers in the future...and for that alone I am grateful/keen to contribute, regardless of politics etc
Copied this from this week's Workabout bulletin. Made me laugh.
The Federal Department of Communications has recently launched an initiative (called the Mobile Coverage Programme) to extend mobile phone coverage service in regional and remote areas.
As part of the programme, the Mobile Black Spots Project aims (in its first stage) to establish a list of locations that currently receive poor, or no mobile coverage. With that in mind, the Government have set up a system whereby you can report mobile black spots.
If you come across a black spot while travelling, you can report the location by:
For more information on the project, you can go to www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme
Gday...
Good initiative .. and ultimately, if heeded, should improve the situation. Have made a note to provide feedback.
However, I would go broke if I had to post in a report via snail-mail on 'dead/black spot' mobile coverage areas from the places I travel. Despite 99% of the population being covered by Telstra for instance, the percentage of 'the land' that is covered would perhaps be only about 50%.
There are huge tracts of land between towns NOT on major highways that are 'dead' - even in the eastern states.
[edit: PS - Mr Rabbit promised $100million during the election campaign to assist Telstra (and the other providers?) to erect towers to alleviate these problems - guess that has been absorbed by other 'issues' now they are in government.]
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 24th of January 2014 01:49:14 PM
I would say that you are spot on there John...
With the limited income at their disposal, they have to make up for the incredible waste and huge deficit created by those they replaced, with the only means available to them which will be cost cutting.
But don't worry..By the time the others get back in again we will be back in the black, so they can spend it all once again...Deja vu
Must say we were very impressed with Telstra mobile coverage during our recent trip across the Nullabor, up the top of WA then back down the centre, seldom a day passed where we were not in range of a tower.
In a country the size of Oz with a small population I reckon that's pretty darned good.
I agree Santa, there have not been too many spots so far since we left home 2 1/2 years ago, that I have not had some sort of range, with or without the aerial. Having said that, the project is a good idea, and if travellers like us can help by reporting back to Federal Dept of Communications, it may help us more in the future.
it seems to me that this Govt initiative might benefit rural and remote residents/travellers in the future...and for that alone I am grateful/keen to contribute, regardless of politics etc