The Federal Government is inviting a limited group of mobile service carriers to submit tenders to extend mobile phone coverage along regional highways.
Allocating AU$20.4 million dollars of AU$50.5 million put aside to improve regional mobile phone service, the Federal Government has invited Telstra, Vodafone and SingTel Optus to submit tenders to cover 35 major arterial routes.
According to the government, extending the coverage will benefit residents in communities located near the roads as well as tourist traffic.
Routes targeted for improvement include the Snowy Mountains Highway in New South Wales and the Arnhem Highway in the Northern Territory. Coverage on South Australia's Eyre, Stuart and Barrier highways will also be improved, along with Victoria's Great Ocean Road.
However, the fate of the roads isn't sealed, as the government's fund allocation is "subject to ongoing viability", it said.
Thus far mobile phone carriers named in the tender request are remaining tight-lipped.
A spokesperson for Optus said that the company was currently reviewing the tender documents but refused to comment on them. Telstra offered a statement of support for the government initiative but refused to disclose further details.
