New tower, more signal power

Optus spokesman Andrew Sheridan with the Careys Road NBN tower, on which Optus has co-located its mobile capability.

By Jeremy Sollars

Yangan and Emu Vale Optus customers will have mobile reception following the ‘switch-on’ of a new tower in the area, as part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program.
The site – at Careys Road just south of Yangan – signals wide-area mobile and data reception for Yangan and Emu Vale. This forms part of a greater network investment program being undertaken by Optus with the Federal and State Government to deliver coverage in 21 locations across regional Queensland.
Optus has co-located its equipment on the existing NBN tower at Careys Road.
Optus vice-president of Regulatory and Public Affairs Andrew Sheridan told the Free Times Optus was “pleased to be a part of the Federal Government’s Mobile Black Spot Program and to be able to deliver crucial telecommunications infrastructure to regional and remote areas across Australia”.
“Optus remains committed to co- and individual investment across a range of townships and locations in regional Australia that helps us provide coverage and reach in areas that we otherwise may not have been able to,” Mr Sheridan said.
“The government’s lead in this crucial program combined with specific regional investment by Optus is certainly being met with a welcome response by rural and remote communities.
“Optus has invested $9.5 million to deliver 20 new mobile sites across Warwick, the Darling Downs and Toowoomba over the last 12 months.
“Over 120 new mobile phone towers have been switched on in regional Australia over the past two years.
“Satellite cells provide a cost effective and flexible alternative to a traditional mobile tower, using satellite connectivity and backhaul to deliver mobile coverage to a concentrated local area.”
Meanwhile, Optus Warwick licensees Scott and Lynelle Reimer are thrilled to have opened their new store in Rose City Shoppingworld.
The Warwick-based couple – who are also licensees of the Optus store in Inverell which they opened back in 1997 – took over the Warwick outlet in 2001.
It operated as a ‘kiosk-style’ outlet in its original digs in Rose City Shoppingworld, and now the new fully fledged store offers customers a larger and more comfortable space and display area for products.
It’s a true family affair, with Scott and Lynelle numbering their daughter and son-in-law among their staff.
“People see the brand, but they may not know this is a locally owned family business,” Lynelle said.
“We’re really pleased with our new location in the centre, and it’ll be even better when the renovations are fully completed – we’re in a great spot here.”
The Warwick Optus store is open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am to 7.30pm on Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Saturday.