Last chance for input to new mobile phone infrastructure program funding

Submissions from industry and the community on the draft funding guidelines for the federal government’s $16.4 million Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) are about to close. The program was announced as part of the 2021-22 Budget, to provide grant funding to deploy new mobile phone infrastructure designed to improve mobile reception in locations on the fringe of Australia’s major cities.

Member for Longman Terry Young said he encouraged those in outer metro suburbs in Longman who experience mobile coverage issues to have their say.

“Because Longman is on the fringe of the Brisbane metropolitan area, I am often contacted by residents experiencing poor mobile coverage at their homes. The PUMP program seeks to address these issues, so it is important that the community has an opportunity to provide feedback on how the program will work.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said PUMP will provide much needed improvements to mobile connectivity in bushfire priority areas.

“Access to reliable mobile coverage is vital for communities to stay connected during times of emergency,” Minister Fletcher said.

“PUMP will deliver real benefits to peri-urban communities, improving the quality and availability of services for those living and working in these hard to serve locations.

Submissions to www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/consultation-pump-draft-funding-guidelines close at 5pm, Friday, 27 August 2020.