Cellphone tower switched on for coverage on Coast ahead of schedule

Haast township has mobile coverage for the first time.

Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) turned on the 3G tower yesterday - three weeks ahead of schedule.

Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Minister Clare Curran said the move addressed safety concerns.

``Contacting emergency services has previously been very difficult and in an area that sees a huge amount of tourist traffic, as well as a significant number of road accidents, we needed to take this urgent action.''

It gives coverage to the township and State Highway 6 north and east of Haast for about 3km. Residents and visitors will be able to text and make phone calls on three mobile networks: Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees.

Sections of SH6 between Fox Glacier and Lake Hawea will also have coverage by the end of the year.

The Haast tower was the first to be installed as part of the rural connecting programme around New Zealand.

On August 30 last year the National-led government announced a $32million plan to improve West Coast broadband and cellphone coverage. In March this year the Labour-led Government committed to implementing that plan.

Other areas have also been listed for improved coverage.


 

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