Long-suffering residents of Boat Harbour/Fishermans Bay and Fern Bay/Fullerton Cove say they continue to be frustrated with poor, or non existent, mobile phone reception and are urging telcos to do something about it.
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Paterson MP Meryl Swanson, a fierce advocate for improved service, said that she was deeply frustrated by the responses of Telstra (relating to Boat Harbour) and Optus (Fern Bay) on these long-running issues.
"As I understand it, there is an ongoing dispute between Telstra and Ausgrid over connecting Boat Harbour to power and it is currently running on a generator. I would like to see Ausgrid and Telstra working together to get the tower fully operational as soon as possible," Ms Swanson said.
In response to questions put to Telstra, a spokesperson told the Examiner that they were "awaiting a new generator to service the site and once in place we will provide full 4G/GX servicing the area by end of June".
Boat Harbour resident Mark Kelly said that he shared the MP's frustration.
"Telstra was finally dragged into powering the site with a generator in March because of the continued delay in powering the site," Mr Kelly said.
"It means only improved 4G reception for now, but better than nothing - unless you own an older model 3G phone which some older residents do."
EARLIER STORY: No power to Anna Bay phone tower
Meanwhile in the Port's southern end, Ms Swanson said that she would continue to seek information and keep the pressure on Optus, to deliver the much needed infrastructure for residents of Fern Bay and Fullerton Cove.
An Examiner report from 2017 stated that Ms Swanson had hoped the tower - identified among 125 priority locations in Round 3 of the Mobile Blackspot Program - would "be built at the end of 2018".
"This is not before time. Our community has put up with dreadful mobile phone coverage for long enough," Ms Swanson said at the time.
"Residents of Fullerton Cove and Fern Bay - including many who live in Bayway Village, Palm Lakes Resort and The Cove - have been lobbying for years for improved reception, and I have made numerous representations on their behalf."
An Optus spokesperson this week confirmed plans to deploy a new tower intended to enhance in-building coverage in and around Fern Bay/ Fullerton Cove, as well as along Nelson Bay Road.
"We are currently in the final stages of approvals and as with all mobile deployments, timeframes are subject to approvals and processes which are often outside Optus' control. Optus is looking forward to working with council and community to improve services in the area."