The Mobile Blackspot program is an Australian Commonwealth Government grants program funding the delivery of mobile telecommunications sites that aim to improve mobile digital connectivity across regional, rural, and remote Australia. In a program first, Field Solutions Group were awarded funding under MBSP5 to deliver two sites that will support Optus 5G/4G services – both are now built, and Optus 5G/4G is live.
Under Round 5A of the MBSP, Field Solutions Group was awarded six additional sites to build that will facilitate Optus 5G/4G services. Four of these sites are now built, and planning is underway to deliver the Optus 5G/4G service from them. The final two will commence construction shortly, and all are expected to be progressively live by March 2025.
In addition, Fields Solutions Group, in partnership with Optus, will undertake two key connectivity trials, both of which will commence during Q4 2024. Build and engineering trials are well underway!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at govprograms@fieldsolutions-group.com, and one of the gang will get back to you.
Project Deployment Timelines
MBSP5 – Delivered.
FSG is extremely proud to have been the very first Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP) under the Federal Government’s Blackspot Program to deliver two new towers, now providing great coverage and service to the region using Optus 5G/4G network. Optus was able to achieve significant coverage enhancement along the Mitchell Highway between Nevertire and Nyngan in addition to providing infill coverage between Trangie and Collie.
Federal Government Blackspot Round 5A – Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Update
FSG has now stood four of the six MNIP towers under MBSP5A with the remaining two to commence construction shortly. In NSW, the five new sites will greatly enhance coverage in the Moree region. Following area planning (undertaken between FSG and Optus’ Planning teams), the five sites will expand Optus’ 5G/4G network between Moree and Collarenebri, Collarenebri and Walgett and Walgett and Lightning Ridge. The project will connect existing Optus coverage from Moree, Collarenebri, Walgett and Lightening Ridge. Optus is currently undertaking its required planning activities and preparing a deployment plan.
The Mobile Blackspot program is an Australian Commonwealth Government grants program funding the delivery of mobile telecommunications sites that aim to improve mobile digital connectivity across regional, rural, and remote Australia. In a program first, Field Solutions Group were awarded funding under MBSP5 to deliver two sites that will support Optus 5G/4G services – both are now built, and Optus 5G/4G is live.
Under Round 5A of the MBSP, Field Solutions Group was awarded six additional sites to build that will facilitate Optus 5G/4G services. Four of these sites are now built, and planning is underway to deliver the Optus 5G/4G service from them. The final two will commence construction shortly, and all are expected to be progressively live by March 2025.
In addition, Fields Solutions Group, in partnership with Optus, will undertake two key connectivity trials, both of which will commence during Q4 2024. Build and engineering trials are well underway!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at govprograms@fieldsolutions-group.com, and one of the gang will get back to you.
Project Deployment Timelines
MBSP5 – Delivered.
FSG is extremely proud to have been the very first Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP) under the Federal Government’s Blackspot Program to deliver two new towers, now providing great coverage and service to the region using Optus 5G/4G network. Optus was able to achieve significant coverage enhancement along the Mitchell Highway between Nevertire and Nyngan in addition to providing infill coverage between Trangie and Collie.
Federal Government Blackspot Round 5A – Mobile Network Infrastructure Build Update
FSG has now stood four of the six MNIP towers under MBSP5A with the remaining two to commence construction shortly. In NSW, the five new sites will greatly enhance coverage in the Moree region. Following area planning (undertaken between FSG and Optus’ Planning teams), the five sites will expand Optus’ 5G/4G network between Moree and Collarenebri, Collarenebri and Walgett and Walgett and Lightning Ridge. The project will connect existing Optus coverage from Moree, Collarenebri, Walgett and Lightning Ridge. Optus is currently undertaking its required planning activities and preparing a deployment plan.
Bundemar
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Mullengundery
|
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at govprograms@fieldsolutions-group.com, and one of the gang will get back to you.
Federal Government Blackspot Round 5A – Mobile Network Infrastructure
State | Name | Site Update | Structure Status | Expected Site on Air |
NSW | Collymongle | Optus will undertake the Deployment Code Activity and deploy on site. | Built | Mar 25 |
NSW | Strathmore Road Dungalear | Power design underway. | Acquired- build to commence | Mar 25 |
NSW | Borwon | Optus to undertake Deployment Code Activity and deploy mobile | Built | Mar 25 |
NSW | Bullarah | Optus to undertake Deployment Code Activity and deploy mobile | Built | Mar 25 |
NSW | Tellegra | Power design Complete. | Acquired- build to commence | Mar 25 |
WA | Talbot | Tower stood. | Under build | Mar 25 |
Collymongle Built
|
Borwon
|
MBSP5A Connectivity Trials with Optus
FSG is proud to partner with the Commonwealth Government and Optus under MBSP5A to conduct two connectivity trials in Western Queensland.
Under the program, FSG will build and operate its 4G Network (Regional Australia Network™) to undertake two trials:
- Active Neutral Host RAN–
Delivery of one set of electronics and antennas on a site to facilitate coverage for the FSG R.A.N ™ and Optus’ 4G Network (Noting that capability would also be possible for Telstra, TPG, NBN Co and future Public Safety Mobile Broadband networks should they choose to participate in a trial). The trial will take place on a 196km stretch of the Adventure Way between Cunnamulla and Thargomindah in Queensland. All sites are under build, with four of the seven towers now stood.
- Domestic Inbound Roaming –
Ability for Optus mobile users to access the FSG R.A.N™ and operate their mobiles for voice and data services southeast of St George at Kinsale and Nindigully. Both trials will demonstrate alternate deployment and delivery models for regional and rural Australia. In each area of deployment, the sites will be a “natural” extension of the Optus Network as further demonstrations of FSG’s highly experienced network planning capabilities. Ultimately, for the end user, they will simply go about using their mobiles just as they would do normally when using the Optus Mobile Network – it’s about connectivity and enhancing your customer’s experience without the worry of site acquisition, build and operating the network.Engineering trials are underway, and testing in the field will be conducted during Q3/Q4 2024, with more details to come. If you would like to understand more, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team at govprograms@fieldsolutions-group.com. We love a chin-wag about these projects!
Active Neutral Host RAN Trial Proposed Coverage
Roaming Trial Area
St George, QLD
Nindigully, QLD
Coverage Disclaimer: Coverage shown is indicative only and may be subject to change as site acquisition progresses. Local conditions such as terrain and vegetation whilst using a mobile device indoors or within a vehicle can impact the coverage your device receives and, thus, your ability to make and receive calls or use data.
State | RFNSA ID | Site Name | Site Update | Site Type | Structure Status | Indicative Site on Air |
QLD | 4492016 | Thargomindah Town | Tower has been stood. New solar power array footings completed. LTE equipment to be deployed Aug 2024. | Active Neutral Host RAN | Built | Dec 24 |
QLD | 4491003 | Eulo | Excavation works completed. | Active Neutral Host RAN | Under build | Dec 24 |
QLD | 4490020 | Waihora | Tower has been stood. New power system and LTE equipment under deployment. | Active Neutral Host RAN | Built | Dec 24 |
QLD | 4490024 | Cunnamulla to Thargo - Paroo Side | Foundation excavation works completed. | Active Neutral Host RAN | Under build | Dec 24 |
QLD | 4492023 | Cunnamulla to Thargo - Bullo Side | Foundation excavation works completed. | Active Neutral Host RAN | Under build | Dec 24 |
QLD | 4492021 | West Lake Bindegolly | Equipment installation in progress. | Active Neutral Host RAN | Tower stood | Dec 24 |
QLD | 4492022 | Dynevor Downs | Equipment installation in progress. | Active Neutral Host RAN | Tower stood | Dec 24 |
NSW | 4487022 | Kinsale | Site to commence construction shortly. | 4G Roaming Site | Acquired- build to commence | Dec 24 |
NSW | 4497005 | Nindigully | Site built and under engineering testing. FSG R.A.N now radiating. | 4G Roaming Site | Built | Site on Air |
Talbot Site
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Dyvenor Downs
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The Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Industry Code is designed to:
- allow the community and councils to have greater participation in decisions made by Carriers when deploying mobile phone base stations and
- provide greater transparency to local communities and councils when a Carrier is planning, selecting sites for, installing and operating Mobile Phone Radiocommunications Infrastructure.
For further information on the Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Industry Code, please click on the following link:
Communications Alliance – C564:2020 Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment (commsalliance.com.au)
To comply with the Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, Field Solutions Group must provide detailed information about any proposed Mobile Phone Radio communications Infrastructure via the Radio frequency National Site Archive (RFNSA) website. Please follow the link below and enter the RFNSA Site ID number provided in the site lists above/below for detailed information.
