Federal Member for Durack, Melissa Price, welcomes a parliamentary inquiry into co-investment in multi carrier regional mobile infrastructure. The House Communications and the Arts Committee will hear evidence from the public into how we can improve regional connectivity.
Co-investment is a tool which would allow multiple telecommunications providers in regional areas to invest in and share ‘multi-carrier’ mobile towers and related infrastructure, to improve services. Most of the mobile infrastructure is not co-located, especially in regional and rural areas. The rates of co-location for Australia’s major mobile providers dramatically decline as you move from urban to regional and remote areas, to as low as 4.8 per cent in very remote areas.
‘I encourage all residents of Durack who have issues with regional connectivity and services to make a submission into this important inquiry’ Melissa Price MP said. ‘It is imperative for all residents in Durack’s regional, rural, and remote areas, to have reliable mobile connectivity. Especially our crucial emergency services – as our very lives can depend on it’
‘I am very aware of the challenges my constituents in Durack face every day when it comes to mobile service capabilities. I have always strongly advocated for improved infrastructure, and therefore better connectivity, in Durack. I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve under the Coalition Government, but there is always more to do in Australia’s largest electorate’ Ms Price said.
Connectivity and infrastructure are critical drivers of regional development. It is particularly important that the committee hear directly from rural, regional, and remote communities as these are the people that suffer the most.
Submissions can also be made through the committees webpage, or by email to communications.reps@aph.gov.au
Submissions into the inquiry close 10 November 2022
Ends.
Media Contact: Jackie Perry 0427 587 395, jackie.perry@aph.gov.au