The $16.4 million Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) is set to enhance mobile connectivity in bushfire-prone areas on the outskirts of major cities. 

“Improving coverage on the peri-urban fringe will help communities access vital information during emergencies, seek help if needed and stay in touched with loved ones,” Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said. 

“PUMP will also improve the quality and reliability of available mobile services, providing benefits on a day-to-day basis for those living and working in these communities.” 

With the program, mobile network operators and infrastructure providers can be provided grant funding to deploy new mobile phone infrastructure. This is part of the Government’s plan to improve mobile reception and coverage in peri-urban, bushfire-prone areas. 

PUMP will run a competitive assessment process so it can provide funding towards the deployment of new and improved mobile infrastructure. This will address the identified quality of service and reception issues in targeted areas.  

All applications will be competitively assessed on a solution-by-solution basis, with the funding awarded based on the coverage outcomes provided by each solution. 

“We will continue to invest in targeted programs that improve mobile connectivity across the country to match our increasing reliance on mobile phones, both in an emergency and our day-to-day lives,” Minister Fletcher said. 

“This new Program will complement the highly successful Mobile Black Spot Program, which is delivering new mobile coverage across regional and remote Australia.” 

Berowra MP Julian Leeser also advocated for PUMP on behalf of his constituents.

“For too long, residents in the outer suburbs have been putting up with poor mobile coverage and extended outages. Frustrating at the best of times, this can become a matter of life or death when disasters strike. PUMP has the potential to provide a life line for communities like mine,” Berowra MP Leeser said.

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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