Mobile voice and data coverage in some of the State’s most iconic tourist destinations and remote Aboriginal communities is to be extended through an agreement between the WA Government and Optus.
The partnership has committed to upgrade services to 4G at nine locations across the Kimberley, Pilbara, Gascoyne and Goldfields-Esperance regions, while an additional two locations will receive mobile coverage for the first time.
The 4G satellite small cell service will triple the current coverage footprint to a six kilometre radius, double the capacity and reduce congestion.
The co-investment will help drive regional tourism, while also providing businesses and residents in isolated areas with a high quality mobile network service that will help support growth and jobs.
Works are set to commence in coming months to extend the 4G network to the following locations:
Upgraded to 4G:
- Bell Gorge (Kimberley) – tourist destination/Aboriginal community;
- Burringurrah (Gascoyne) – tourist destination/Aboriginal community;
- Cape Le Grand/Lucky Bay (Goldfields-Esperance) – tourist destination;
- Home Valley Station (Kimberley) – tourist destination;
- Kalumburu (Kimberley) – tourist destination/Aboriginal community;
- Karijini Eco Resort (Pilbara) – tourist destination;
- Karijini Visitor Centre (Pilbara) – tourist destination;
- Karijini Campground (Pilbara) – tourist destination; and
- Mindibunga (Kimberley) – tourist destination/Aboriginal community.
4G installed:
- Alexander Bay (Goldfields-Esperance) – tourist destination; and
- Parrngurr (Pilbara) – tourist destination/Aboriginal community.
Source: WA Government