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State government chips in for improved regional mobile coverage

Better connected: Mobile black spots are hoped to be a thing of the past with new government funding announced. Photo by Madeleine Caccianiga

Broadford, Kilmore, Seymour, Tallarook, Trawool, Nagambie and Tabilik are expected to have improved mobile coverage and services by 2026 as the Victorian Government invests big bucks in communications infrastructure.

The program focuses on 30 mobile infrastructure projects throughout the region in areas that, according to community feedback, need the upgrades the most.

Supported by the government, Telstra, Optus, TPG and Axicom will build six new mobile towers and upgrade 24 towers in towns like Beveridge and Trawool.

The investment hopes to make towers more resilient during natural disasters.

The $300 million in funding is part of the $550 million Connecting Victoria program for better mobile and broadband services.

State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes said better internet and phone services would help more businesses succeed.

“Exciting changes and innovative projects are happening in our area, and they need good-quality connectivity to support them,” she said.