Telstra will be upgrading its mobile base station in Sunshine Beach by adding extra infrastructure to bring better 4G connectivity and install new 5G equipment for activation once the 3G network has closed, however the works will require the site to be taken off air for six days and result in a temporary reduction in local mobile coverage.
Due to the major works required, these improvements will impact Telstra mobile coverage from 20 June until 26 June, with additional call and equipment testing to follow until 30 June which may result in minor outages.
Telstra mobile customers may have already received text messages advising of the upcoming work.
Landline services, NBN internet services and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted. Any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically be diverted to any working mobile network for connection to emergency services.
Regional general manager for Telstra, May Boisen said while crews need to work during daylight for safety, they’ll only be switching off the site when they need to and have it back on as quickly as possible.
“Where possible we will just be switching off the parts of the tower we are working on, leaving the rest operational. While coverage and capacity will decline during this time, we want to keep the amount of time the site is off air to an absolute minimum,” Ms Boisen said.
“There’s never a good time to undertake this sort of work but once it is completed, it will mean better mobile services for local residents.
“As a company, we heavily invest in improving regional connectivity. Over the past seven years to the end of FY23, Telstra invested $11 billion in our mobile network nationally, with $4 billion of this invested in our regional mobile network.”
Tips for improving connectivity while works are underway
For mobile coverage in the interim, if residents have access to a Wi-Fi signal at home or at work, Telstra encourages residents to activate Wi-Fi calling. This is a free setting on most popular mobile phones and allows your mobile to use a Wi-Fi network to make and receive mobile calls. To find out more can google Telstra WiFi calling or search in the settings icon on a phone.
They know many businesses use the Telstra network for their EFTPOS terminals. However, Telstra does not operate the EFTPOS network; it is operated by financial institutions. Many EFTPOS terminals can also be connected using fixed line or Wi-Fi/NBN internet connections. Retailers should contact their bank for details on how to switch between these methods to ensure continuous service.
