Vodafone to spend $9 million to expand its regional network

THE quality of mobile networks in regional Australia has quickly become an election issue, and Vodafone has entered the fray with a $9m announcement.

Vodafone to spend $9 million on rural expansion.

VODAFONE will pour $9 million into strengthening and expanding its rural mobile network through to the end of 2017.

The money will be spent establishing 32 new mobile base stations in New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland and Western Australia, the company says.

“Vodafone is committed to increasing coverage and choice for customers in regional Australia, and we’ve identified 32 sites which will build on our growth in areas outside the major metropolitan centres,” Vodafone’s technology officer Benoit Hanssen said.

A majority of the stations are expected to be up and running by the end of the year.

In the past, those in many rural areas have had little choice in mobile providers as regional Australians have largely been resigned to Telstra’s network which has traditionally offered a broader range of coverage. But Vodafone wants to change that.

“Many customers living in regional and rural Australia don’t have access to reliable coverage, choice of provider or both, and we’re determined to drive change,” Mr Hanssen said.

The quality of mobile networks in rural Australia has become an election issue after Malcolm Turnbull announced last week a further $60 million pledge to fix black spots.

There are more than 6000 mobile black spots across Australia, with regional communities suffering the most.

Turnbull’s announcement boosts the program Tony Abbott announced in the previous election campaign to $220 million.

Vodafone has had something of a resurgence in the past few years.

More than two million customers left the network between 2010 and 2013 as the company was plagued with call drop outs, slow data and patchy coverage.

The appointment of Bill Morrow in 2012 — now heading up NBN Co. — marked a turnaround for the company. On the back of a $3 billion investment in infrastructure and customer support, Vodafone has turned itself around and become arguably the best value mobile provider in the country.

“Over recent years, we have invested billions of dollars in our network to deliver improved access to fast, reliable mobile services, and we want to offer more Australians the coverage and competition they need and deserve,” Mr Hanssen.

Vodafone’s chief strategy officer Dan Lloyd said the $9 million announcement was about the company wanting to advocate for rural areas.

“With the Federal Election campaign now under way, we’re reminding both side of politics of the importance of reliable and affordable 21st century telecommunications services in regional Australia,” he said.

Originally published as Vodafone to spend $9 million to expand its regional network