PIKE’S FIGHT

FOR RELIABLE MOBILE COVERAGE 

Federal Member for Bowman, Henry Pike MP, is calling on the Redlands’ community to help take his fight forward to strengthen the Redlands’ mobile networks and ensure our city has strong, reliable and disaster-proof coverage.

When Tropical Cyclone Alfred hit, mobile networks across the Redlands collapsed, cutting off emergency communication when people needed it most.

This caused panic and confusion for locals as they were cut off from checking in on loved ones and accessing the latest disaster updates.  Unfortunately, some locals two weeks after the event, were still without the mobile coverage they had before the storm.

‘Losing access to mobile reception during Cyclone Alfred is more than an inconvenience. It’s a serious failure,’ Mr Pike said.

‘If this disaster had been a bushfire racing down Mt Cotton or spreading across our islands, lives could have easily been lost.’

As crews work across the city to restore service, Mr Pike is calling for the community to give him a helping hand so he can bring relevant data to telecommunications providers to push for essential upgrades.

‘I’m gathering evidence from locals to push for real solutions with telcos and the Federal Government, urging them to harden our mobile infrastructure so our community is never left stranded again.’

‘To make that happen, I need hard data. If you’ve had mobile failures during the cyclone, I need to hear from you. Your input will help me fight for the resilience upgrades our community deserves.’

Since being elected in 2022, Mr Pike said that poor mobile reception in many suburbs in the Redlands has been one of the top issues locals have spoken to him about.

Mr Pike’s initiative will help in his continued advocacy efforts to upgrade mobile reception, which has seen 41 local mobile upgrades in the past few years.

‘This issue has been plaguing the Redlands for a while now,’ Mr Pike said.

‘Tropical Cyclone Alfred has taught us that it is even more pressing than ever that we improve reception across the Redlands, so when the next disaster hits our city is ready.’

Mr Pike is also looking at the poor mobile reception issues that plagues the eastern side of Russell Island. It is believed the issue can be corrected with a smaller tower to be erected on the western side of North Stradbroke Island.

You can assist Mr Pike’s efforts by filling out his mobile resilience survey at henrypike.com.au/mobile_resilience.

Media contacts:  Tommy Seselja 0478 550 031