Extending battery back-up for regional and remote phone towers in Eden-Monaro

Dec 3, 2020

Mobile phone towers in Eden-Monaro will be able to keep operating longer if the power goes out
during or after natural disasters, thanks to a major new investment by the Morrison McCormack
Government.

The Government is funding Telstra to extend the battery back up at 9 mobile phone towers in Eden-Monaro, to provide a minimum of 12 hours of back-up power.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said
telecommunications, including mobile phone towers, need reliable power sources to operate.

“Telecommunications – including mobile phone towers – rely on power to operate. This investment
will allow mobile phone towers to keep operating for at least 12 hours after the power goes out,
making a real difference for communities during and after a natural disaster,” Minister for
Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said.

Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan said, “extending the battery life of the mobile phone towers
would increase telecommunications resilience in Eden-Monaro.”

“The Morrison McCormack government is investing in battery back-up to keep mobile phone towers operating
longer when the power goes out during or after natural disasters,” Senator Molan said.

“This includes towers at Barragga Bay, Wee Jasper, Anglers Reach, Avonside, Binalong, Central
Tilba, Dalgety, Nethercote and Numeralla.”

The Government is providing a total of $13.2 million to Telstra, Optus and TPG to extend the battery
back up at 467 mobile phone towers across Australia, under stage one of the program.

More information on the program is available on the Department of Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Communications website.