Community
21 March, 2024
Outages expected as network upgrade begins
A SERIES of temporary outages were expected in Terang this week as Telstra began upgrading its mobile base station.
The infrastructure upgrades will bring better 4G services and 5G coverage to the region, but will result in instances of temporary reductions in coverage and temporary outages through to Friday.
The works began on Monday and are expected to continue until Friday, with further works to be completed on Monday, March 25 during daylight hours to complete call testing and integration on the website.
Telstra customers will receive text messages advising them of works.
Landline services, NBN internet services and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted, and any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile during outages will automatically be diverted to any working mobile network for connection to emergency services.
Telstra regional general manger Steve Tinker said while crews are required to work during daylight hours for safety reasons, the site will only be switched off when absolutely needed and will be back on as quickly as possible.
“There is never a good time to undertake this sort of work but, once it is completed, it will mean better mobile services for local residents,” he said.
“As a company, we heavily invest in improving regional connectivity and this site is another example of our commitment.
“Over the past seven years to the end of 2023 financial year, Telstra invested $11 billion in our mobile network nationally, with $4 billion of this invested in our regional mobile network.”
The rollout of 5G connectivity in Terang for the first time will bring a better mobile experience for users, with the added benefit of customers on the 4G network enjoying more capacity, better network connectivity and less congestion during peak periods.
Once completed, Terang will join more than 4900 Telstra 5G sites on-air within more than four hundred cities and towns across Australia – giving 85 per cent of all Australians access to the 5G network.
“We are continuing to expand our 5G network across locations and nationally we’re adding new sites to the network every week,” Mr Tinker said.
“Upgrades such as these continue to demonstrate Telstra’s ongoing commitment to regional Australia.”