A new mobile tower at Mount McDonald promises to bring better coverage to Wyangala residents, according to Optus and the Federal Government.
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The tower, which was switched on earlier this week, is being co-funded by Optus and the Federal and NSW Governments as part of Round 2 of the Federal Government's Mobile Black Spot Program.
The tower will provide enhanced coverage to more than 250 premises and 35 kms of roadways including Darby Falls Road and Reg Hailstone Way.
Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack, said mobile connectivity was one of the biggest issues for residents in his electorate.
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"Mobile connectivity is something everyone wants, expects, demands and deserves," Mr McCormack said.
"And Wyangala is no different than any other community right throughout the Riverina and Central West.
"It's for convenience, it's for safety, it's for doing business and it's just for keeping in touch with families. That's why it's important."
The new facility provides coverage for calls, text and data services across Optus' 4G and 3G network.
Optus' Territory General Manager for Central West NSW, Tom O'Dea, said better coverage means a lot more than just being able to text or make calls.
"The thing with investing in mobile base stations is that small business get benefits out if it obviously through extra connectivity, extra access to customers, agricultural business, health, education - all those things," he said.
"The big one for us, though, is obviously keeping people safe. Not being able to make a phone call when you are broken down on the side of the road or there's a bushfire or something like that - that's serious.
"To be able to bring coverage to this area, including 35 kilometres of roads that in most cases haven't had access to mobile network, is incredibly important. So we're really excited about that."