Mobiles are ringing and data is flowing for the first time at Megalong Valley with mobile technology now available in the area through Telstra's rollout of the federal government's mobile black spot program.
Telstra area general manager Mike Marom said the new mobile base station will bring improved coverage to the area.
"This is an important moment for residents, businesses and visitors to Megalong Valley who can now make, receive mobile calls and access high speed mobile broadband using Telstra's latest 3G and 4GX services," said Mr Marom.
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman put pressure on the local mobile blackspot rollout last July when she raised concerns about significant problems with proposed towers at the Megalong Valley and Yellow Rock. At the time, a department spokesperson confirmed Telstra had experienced delays with the power authority at Megalong Valley in getting power connected to the site.
The Labor MP welcomed the new mobile base station as "fantastic news for the Megalong Valley, which has had a tortuous time trying to get this promised tower up and running".
"Unfortunately there are many other parts of the Macquarie electorate still waiting for promised towers, including Yellow Rock," she said.
"What's more, there are still enormous mobile black spots right through the Blue Mountains that urgently need attention, which the government continues to ignore."