$11 million telecommunication project has boosted mobile coverage and data speeds on Flinders and Cape Barren islands

The 900 residents on Flinders and Cape Barrens islands – and the visitors now returning – will have better coverage and faster data speeds after an $11 million project.

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AN $11 million telecommunication upgrade means residents and visitors to Flinders and Cape Barren islands will have better mobile coverage and faster data speeds.

The upgrade was funded through the Building Better Regions Fund with investment from the federal and Tasmania governments, Flinders Island Council and Telstra.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the project had delivered vital infrastructure to better connect some of Tasmania’s most remote communities.

“Now that the roll out of this vital infrastructure has been completed, residents, tourists and businesses can do the things that others might take for granted such as stream HD video content, download data, do business online and video call at comparable speeds to the rest of Tasmania,” Mr McCormack said.

The project involved transmission upgrades, new radio systems, new optical fibre and upgrades to several mobile sites.

“One of the key parts of this project included a new 80m radio tower 100 kilometres northeast of Launceston at Waterhouse, which creates the longest radio link across water anywhere on Telstra’s network and connects Flinders and Cape Barren Islands with Tasmania and to Australia and the world,” state science and technology minister Michael Ferguson said.

Flinders Council Mayor Annie Revie said the project had boosted connectivity for the islands’ 900 residents.

“Locals are now streaming and downloading faster. Connection quality has been significantly boosted with mobile network upgrades and new mobile sites at Killiecrankie, Palana, Blue Rocks and on Cape Barren Island,” Mayor Revie said.

“These important upgrades also lay the groundwork for the network into the future, including scalable solutions for the local school, hospital, emergency services and the Flinders Council.”

Telstra Regional General Manager Michael Patterson said the upgrade demonstrated Telstra’s continued commitment to connecting Tasmanians.

“In Tasmania, in the last 12 months alone, Telstra has invested around $20 million to improve mobile network coverage and capacity for our customers,” Mr Patterson said.

Telstra has more than 300 mobile sites across Tasmania, delivering mobile coverage to 98.7 per cent of the state’s population.