Telstra claims to cover 97% of Australia with their Next G coverage. They fail to realise/accept that there are still parts of Australia, even with multiple towers nearby, which fail to get the reception, even with their Blue Tick phones specifically designed for rural areas.
This has been the case for several years now. We cannot get mobile reception all through the town of Moonambel (there are certain pockets you can if you stand on one leg and wave the opposite arm at the same time) and the only way to connect to the internet is through wireless broadband connected to an antennae on the roof.
Despite many phone calls and complaints the response has always been "there are 6 towers near your area you should get reception" Well we don't! They have even rejected offers from land owners to build a tower on their property.
This poses many issues, the main one being safety. The region is renowned for its wineries and vineyards that employ many workers, if there is an accident these people cannot call for emergency assistance and have to find there way to the nearest land line, sometimes a fair drive away. Also with bushfire season upon us the Government has set up an emergency SMS service, while this is a fantastic initiative, however it cannot be utilised by numerous residents who do not have reception.
As we are in a valley the 6 mobile towers around the area seem to skim over the top of the town and miss it completely. They have made an effort to turn up the towers which has made some spots easier to get reception; however this is still not adequate, as at best you can get maybe 1 bar of reception.
I’m starting this petition in an effort to highlight the issues we currently have and to have something done about the problem.
Please sign this petition the more signatures we can get the better. Thank you