A major communications upgrade on Flinders and truwana/Cape Barren islands has afforded the region the technological beauty of the 21st century.
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The $11 million project saw a new radio tower erected, an upgrade to the radio generation systems and the laying of the longest across water radio link on Telstra's network.
While most of the project was completed in late 2019, its finalisation was the 4GX cherry on top of a better mobile coverage network for truwana/Cape Barren Island.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new technology had afforded the people of the region many of the technological comforts most Tasmanians are already blessed with.
"Now that the roll out of this vital infrastructure has been completed across Flinders and Cape Barren Islands, residents, tourists and businesses on the islands can do the things that others might take for granted," Mr McCormack said.
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Despite some earlier tensions between the local community and Telstra - in which the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania alleged Telstra was undervaluing land, which Telstra denied - locals are now seeing some of the benefits of the upgrade, according to Flinders Council Mayor Annie Revie.
"Locals are now streaming and downloading faster. Connection quality has been significantly boosted with mobile network upgrades and new mobile sites," Cr Revie said.
The project was funded as part of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), with investment from the Australian and Tasmanian governments, Flinders Council and Telstra.
Federal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer said the funding was critical to being able to provide essential communication technology to remote communities.
"There are health care professionals, farmers, small business owners and tourism operators who will benefit greatly from the boosted connectivity and improved mobile and internet services delivered by the significant telecommunications upgrade," Mrs Archer said.
"These important upgrades also lay the groundwork for the network into the future, including scalable solutions for the local school, hospital, emergency services and the Flinders Council", Cr Revie said.
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