Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor is urging residents to keep up the pressure to improve mobile and internet services.

In a statement to parliament this week, Mr Taylor said it was important to use programmes already in train to continue to improve local telecommunications. He said the NBN optic fibre rollout was already underway in The Oaks and Oakdale and in coming weeks preparation work would begin in Picton, Tahmoor and Bargo.

“Because Hume is so vast, the NBN will be delivered in different ways to different locations. But regardless, fast and reliable internet – whether it be fixed line, wireless or satellite – is coming to all of Hume via the NBN.

“It is a busy, busy time for telecommunications in Hume. Through fixed line and fixed wireless networks, that is fibre and towers, 42,000 businesses and homes will be passed in the next couple of years. What a terrific result,” Mr Taylor said.

“Even more than dodgy internet, poor mobile phone coverage is a big frustration for Hume residents. There’s not often a day when my office doesn’t receive a call or an email about mobile phones.

“I had the great pleasure last year of announcing 18 new mobile phone towers for Hume under Round 1 of the Federal Mobile Black Spot Programme. This result came about after many meetings with locals, lots of mapping of coverage areas with the telecommunications companies, and much lobbying of ministers. Round 2 of the Black Spot Programme is in progress and we hope for more good news.

“We have done well to date, but I urge residents in Hume to keep the pressure up. Mobile phone coverage and reliable internet are no longer an option - they are vital services for the electorate and for regional Australia.”