Australia’s push for round two of a cell boosting program has come after the country recorded its hottest weather in 2023. The peri-urban mobile program is an initiative to improve mobile and reception issues in the fringes of large cities and to help communities in bushfire-prone areas to have better reception. The initiative will be aided by $20 million (US$13.5 million) of government funds. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that in 2023, Australia received dry weather spells for longer and harsher periods of time than any other year.
Australian Local Government Association President Linda Scott reinforced the dangers of the bushfire season, particularly in communities at risk, and the extra funding that might be needed. The peri-urban program is part of the Mobile Black Spot Program, which aims to provide more areas with access to telecommunications. Ms. Scott also touched on the importance of black spot funding during the bushfire season. The Peri-urban second phase noticeboard already has two proposals, one for semi-rural suburbs in New South Wales such as Dural and Annandale, which have reception service and quality problems. The other is for the rural Victorian suburb of Invermay which has zero mobile service in some areas. Applications for round two of the Peri-urban reception projects are available to view and register through the government website.