Telstra has been working to improve mobile service in Kyneton, recently completing 10 small cells installations and progressing on the new base station at the Kyneton Showgrounds.
The new small cells have been installed on electricity poles in 10 locations around town.
Small cells are a low-powered, more discreet solution to meet ever-increasing demand on the mobile network and provide 4G and 5G mobile service in a small area.
About 60 terabytes of data was carried on Telstra’s small cells since they have come online – that’s the equivalent of about 4.8 years of video or 114 years of music streaming.
The small cells have also carried about one million voice calls over the same period. The cells are a way to address that demand, reduce congestion and improve performance.
The busiest cell is the one in Baynton Street near the Woolworths carpark.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council CEO, Bernie O’Sullivan, said council had been working collaboratively with Telstra to significantly boost digital connectivity throughout the Macedon Ranges.
‘”Over the past three years we’ve been looking at different solutions to crack the nut on challenges across the shire, which look different in different places,” he said.
“Being able to install small cells in Kyneton has been a really neat solution for this town.”
The small cells complement the new mobile tower, which has begun construction at the Kyneton Showgrounds.
Telstra area general manager, Steve Tinker, said the first stage of the construction had begun with a monopole installed next the football oval adjacent to the light pole.
“The light pole will be removed, and the lights installed on the new monopole,” Mr Tinker said.
“The mobile base station equipment will be installed on the monopole, which will provide for much-needed improved mobile services in Kyneton.”
It is planned that the project will be completed in early 2025.
For any service questions or advice that Telstra can assist with, the local team encourages you to visit them at 2 Jennings St Kyneton outside the Kyneton telephone exchange opposite Woolworths.
They will be there every Wednesday from October 2 to November 6.
