The Mobile Blackspot program is an Australian Commonwealth Government grants program funding the delivery of mobile telecommunications sites which aim to improve mobile digital connectivity across regional, rural, and remote Australia. Field Solutions has been awarded funding under MBSP5 to deliver 2 sites that will support Optus 4G services. Under Round 5A of the MBSP, Field Solutions Group was awarded a further 6 sites to build that will facilitate Optus 4G services. In addition, Fields Solutions Group, in partnership with Optus, will undertake two key connectivity trials.
Project Deployment Timelines
If it doesn’t rain – it pours. Most of us are familiar with Dorothea Mackellar’s famous poem “My Country”. It talks of the harshness of Australia’s beautiful landscape, and like so many in regional Australia now, especially on the east coast, we too are impacted by the weather. Safety is at the forefront of everything our Engineering & Infrastructure team do. For these reasons, some of our sites are currently experiencing delays. Our commitment remains unwavering to have services operational, but we still can’t change the weather. Even when sunny – we need to be mindful of our teams, our construction and telco partner teams, and our ability to operate within a safe environment.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us at govprograms@fieldsolutions-group.com, and one of the team will get back to you.
Federal Government Blackspot Round 5
State | RFNSA ID | Site Name | Status | Indicative Rollout Timeline |
NSW | 2823005 | Gin Gin (Bundemar) | Site Stood. Optus Deployment code underway. Power delivery being forecast | Nov 2022 |
NSW | 2825015 | Mullengudgery | Development Application approved, construction planning underway. Power delivery design underway | Dec 2022 |
Federal Government Blackspot Round 5A – Mobile Network Infrastructure
State | Name | Site Status | Indicative Rollout Timeline |
NSW | Collymongle | Site survey completed, detailed design underway | June 23 |
NSW | Strathmore Road Dungalear | Site identification underway, site survey to be undertaken | June 23 |
NSW | Borwon | Site survey completed, detailed design underway | June 23 |
NSW | Bullarah | Site survey completed, detailed design underway | June 23 |
NSW | Tellegra | Detailed site design underway | June 23 |
WA | Talbot | Site survey complete, heads of terms and site design in progress | June 23 |
MBSP5A Connectivity Trials with Optus
FSG is proud to be partnering with the Commonwealth Government and Optus under MBSP5A to conduct two connectivity trials in Western Queensland and Northwest New South Wales.
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 Regional Australia Network™ and Optus 4G Network (Noting that capability would also be for Telstra, TPG, NBN Co and future Public Safety 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.
- Inbound Roaming – Ability for Optus mobile users to access the FSG Regional Australia Network™ and operate their mobiles for voice and data services
Active Neutral Host RAN Trial Proposed Coverage
Roaming Trial Area
Coverage Disclaimer: Coverage shown is indicative only and may be subject to change as site acquisition progresses. Local conditions such as terrain, 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 | Status | Site Type | Indicative Rollout Timeline |
QLD | 4492016 | Thargomindah Town | Deployment Code underway, Construction to commence shortly | Active Neutral Host RAN | Jun-23 |
QLD | Eulo | Site Survey Completed, sub-lease documents executed with QLD Government, Deployment Code to Commence, construction planning underway | Active Neutral Host RAN | Jun-23 | |
QLD | 4490020 | Waihora | Deployment Code underway, access track construction complete, tower Construction to commence shortly | Active Neutral Host RAN | Jun-23 |
QLD | Cunnamulla to Thargo - Paroo Side | Site Survey to be scheduled | Active Neutral Host RAN | Jun-23 | |
QLD | Cunnamulla to Thargo - Bullo Side | Site Survey Completed. Design and acquisition underway | Active Neutral Host RAN | Jun-23 | |
QLD | West Lake Bindegolly | Site Survey Completed. Design underway, sub-lease document now executed, transfer of land to FSG now complete | Active Neutral Host RAN | Jun-23 | |
QLD | Dynevor Downs | Site Survey Completed. Design and acquisition underway | Active Neutral Host RAN | Jun-23 | |
NSW | St George Cotton Shed | Site Survey Completed. Design Underway | 4G Roaming Site | Jun-23 | |
NSW | 2411002 | Yamboon | Site Survey Completed. Design Underway, Deployment Code underway | 4G Roaming Site | Jun-23 |
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 community 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)
As part of complying with the Mobile Phone Base Station Deployment Code, Field Solutions Group is also required to provide detailed information about any proposed Mobile Phone Radiocommunications Infrastructure via the Radiofrequency 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.
