South-West to get improved mobile phone coverage

12/06/02
Mobile phone coverage in the South-West of Western Australia is set to improve dramatically, following the official launch today of the $21million WirelessWest project.
State Development Minister Clive Brown launched the service today in Perth, with simultaneous launches at the towns of Calingiri, Merredin and Beaufort River.
Mr Brown said continuous CDMA mobile phone coverage would become progressively available over coming months to communities in an area ranging from north of Geraldton, south-east to Kalgoorlie, and south to Esperance.
"This project is unique in Australia, as it is the first time that such a large land area has been planned as a single entity to provide continuous mobile phone coverage between towns," he said.
"Typically, mobile phones only operate in country towns, and not the surrounding districts.
"WirelessWest will change that, providing a much better service for many rural residents, travellers, and health and emergency services.
"However, to take full advantage of the improved coverage, we would encourage those who travel widely throughout the area to install approved car kits and external antennas."
Mr Brown said the project was part of the State Government's ongoing commitment to help provide better telecommunications infrastructure in regional WA.
He said the WirelessWest project was initiated after a survey of regional WA indicated the two greatest telecommunications needs were better mobile phone services and better and more affordable data services.
The WirelessWest project involves the construction of 45 CDMA mobile phone base stations to provide reasonably continuous coverage.
Fifteen of the sites are due to be completed by the end of June, with the remaining 30 expected to be built over the next six to eight months.
"The official launch of WirelessWest today is a significant milestone for improving telecommunications infrastructure in regional WA," the Minister said.
"But there are still areas along the State's more remote highways in the North and East which also need a service such as this.
"We look forward to hearing from the Commonwealth as to how it will help address these ongoing areas of need."
Minister's Office - 9222 9699