In June this year I wrote to the Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher MP to raise issues around poor mobile network coverage in the outskirts of my electorate.

I held deep concerns for the lack of mobile connectivity, particularly in bushfire prone areas and the risk this may present to the safety of those Bean constituents residing in these area.

I requested that the Minister address the poor mobile coverage in isolated areas of Bean as well as all of the fringe communities of the ACT.

I am pleased to say that the Minister acknowledged my concerns and the Bean electorate has received funding for improved mobile coverage for Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Corin Forest (Optus) and Top Naas, off Boboyan Road, Booth (Telstra).

These base stations are expected to be delivered in June 2022 and you can find more information here:

www.optus.com.au/about/network/mobile-black-spot-program

www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/mobile-black-spot-program

More funding will be allocated in 2022 for Round 6 of the Black Spot Program and could be available for rural and fringe locations on the outskirts of Canberra.

I would encourage anyone who experiencing poor network coverage in these areas to get in touch with my office,  or email your coverage issues directly to:

OPTUS: [email protected]

TELSTRA: [email protected]

TPG (formerly Vodafone): [email protected]