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Conondale TV Black spot clears but quest for mobile coverage continues |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 08 April 2005 |
Conondale residents who have for years suffered from a TV black-spot
will be encouraged to hear that following a deal with a local power
distributor, a TV repeater station will be operational by the end of
March. Sadly, the community's primary quest for mobile phone coverage
continues.
According to local campaigner Peter Pamment, a deal with the regional high voltage grid owner Powerlink, will see a TV repeater array erected at the company's Donovan's Knob tower.
Funds originally sourced about a year ago by the member for Longman Mal Brough will be used to pay for the equipment. The tower is already a platform for hardware from companies like Energex and the Police.
"We are signing a lease agreement with them and the cash from the Federal government is going towards setting up the TV repeater on the existing tower," said Peter. "This is a great step forward as this issue has been ongoing for some time now."
But conversely, the community's efforts to convince the Federal Government and Telstra Countrywide that they need mobile phone coverage are more involved. For Conondale's wishes to come to fruition, Peter is stressing the need for the community to lobby both Federal Government and the telecommunications company relentlessly.
Telstra is currently conducting a feasibility survey of the Conondale area, but the communications giant has already stated that it cannot make sufficient profit on the project, unless it receives a subsidy in the region of 50% from the Federal Government.
Peter bets that's because the company demands a nine year return from it's investments. And apparently because the company needs to sink a costly fibre optic cable from any possible aerial site in Conondale back to its existing service hubs, without the subsidy the project just won't happen.
Interestingly, Telstra's apparent lack of funds comes in the wake of a global phenomena where governments are slamming telecoms companies for charging some customers too much. More importantly, the Conondale issue comes at a time when the Federal Government is preparing to liquidate its 51.8% stake in the company (worth about $34 billion), but has promised the voting public that it will ensure services to rural and regional Australia are maintained.
At the moment Telstra operates under a universal service obligation which mandates that it provide fair and reasonable levels of service across the nation. This is monitored by the Australian Communications Authority.
Yet some are worried that the government could find it tougher to police the operations of a fully privatised telecommunications giant and ensure coverage for communities like Conondale, which have already been classed as "non-profitable" by the company. "We desperately need people to write to Telstra and Fisher member Peter Slipper," said Peter. "It is essential for us to obtain mobile phone coverage."
Peter suggested that people write about their personal situation and how having a mobile communication facility would improve safety and lifestyle in and around the township. "It needs to be as personal as possible," he said. "We really need to convince them that it is an important safety tool and lifestyle objective for Conondale."
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Last Updated ( Friday, 08 April 2005 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
