FSG awarded $3.19M under Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspot Program Round 5a

Field Solutions Holdings (ASX: FSG), Australia’s leading rural, regional, and remote challenger telecommunications carrier, is pleased to announce it has been awarded $3.19M from the Federal Government’s Mobile Blackspots Program Round 5a, a 10-fold increase from Round 5 last year.

Highlights

“FSG was the first non-tier 1 telecommunications provider to be awarded funding in last years’ Round 5,” said Andrew Roberts, Chief Executive, Field Solutions Group. “In this years’ Round 5a, FSG secured a 10-fold increase in funding to build 15 towers across NSW, WA and QLD”, he said. Round 5a further deepens the partnership FSG forged with Optus under round 5. “Optus shares our passion to enhance telecommunications services for rural, regional, and remote Australia,” says Roberts. “FSG and Optus see immense value in sharing infrastructure in regional Australia to deliver more services … The partnership delivers maximum value for both the Federal Government’s investment and the connectivity solutions delivered to under serviced communities in rural, regional, and remote Australia,” he said.

“As a strong and long-time supporter of the Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program it is fantastic to see more funding being allocated to alternate deployment models. These new sites will deliver a significant benefit for Optus customers in the region. This is another way that, in collaboration with industry partners, we can look at new, cost-effective ways to deploy reliable network coverage in regional Australia – which is something that we believe all Australians should have access to. We look forward to working with Field Solutions Group to deliver these Optus services including 5G in Talbot, Western Australia,” said Andrew Sheridan, Optus Vice President Regulatory and Public Affairs.

In three years, FSG has built an extensive network in rural, regional, and remote New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria, locating towers in areas previously underserved by telecommunications services. Over the next 24 months, FSG’s tower portfolio will exceed 200 towers and include Western Australia in its national footprint. FSG’s network will deliver residential, business and enterprise internet access and associated value-added services via its retail brands. The firm’s partnership with Optus also ensures these assets provide much-needed mobile telecommunication services.

In line with FSG strategy, the tower roll-out will be Neutral Host ready. “FSG’s Neutral Host strategy is a stepchange in service delivery, underpinning our fresh approach to ensuring people in rural, regional and remote Australia receive comprehensive mobile and broadband coverage,” says Roberts.

The Federal Government has committed $80 million for round 6 of the program, to be released over the coming 12 months.

This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of FSG.