Optus to build mobile phone tower in Toowoomba region due to black spot area
A telecommunications giant has put forward plans to fix a mobile dead zone in the Toowoomba region with a new base station in a southwest rural area.
Development
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Phone and internet coverage in the greater Toowoomba region is about to be expanded thanks to new infrastructure being proposed by a telecommunications giant.
Optus has lodged plans with the council to build a new mobile phone base station on Southbrook-Felton Road at Broxburn, about 40km southwest of Toowoomba.
The development, which is part of the Federal Government’s Regional Blackspot program, includes a 40m monopole, nine remote radio units, and a 900mm parabolic dish antenna.
According to the planning report by Service Stream, the new station would expand the coverage into areas where mobile coverage is substandard.
“The locality is considered to be a black spot area, meaning there is a significant mobile voice and data coverage gap,” the report said.
“In some areas surrounding the proposed facility users will currently see they have coverage via the ‘bars’ on their phone.
“However, this relates solely to the ability to make and receive calls.
“Devices are data hungry; users are now demanding more services, from more locations for indoor and outdoor coverage along with indoor video data streaming.
“The deployment of a new Optus mobile base station is a viable solution for improved services to the area.”
An Optus spokeswoman said it would consult with immediate landholders and residents during and after the development application process.
“Optus wants to connect more people to the things they love, so we invest in our improving our network for customers,” she said.
“The proposed site will improve network coverage for customers in the area, which includes Felton, Southbrook and parts of Broxburn.
“Optus is engaging in community consultation and going through the approval processes.”
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