Vodafone is set to switch on services in the regional NSW area of Molong — a region identified as a major blackspot impeding mobile coverage — using the National Broadband Network’s Cell Site Access Service (CSAS).
The deal with Vodafone Hutchinson Australia (VHA) is the first customer agreement signed by NBN Co for its Cell Site Access Service which allows mobile operators to use the NBN to expand their mobile coverage quickly and cost effectively.
The Molong area was identified as needing improved mobile coverage in phase one of the federal government’s Mobile Blackspot Programme, and is the first black spot area to be addressed directly with the help of NBN infrastructure and products.
Under the deal, Vodafone has installed an extra set of antennas on the Molong NBN fixed-wireless tower and used the CSAS to carry the mobile voice and data signals back to the NBN Point of Interconnection in Dubbo.
{loadposition peter}NBN Co’s chief customer officer John Simon said, “This is genuinely exciting news for the community of Molong and for NBN.
“The good thing about this is not just that we are helping to deliver a new service for end-users but also that we offering customers new products to help them extend their portfolio and spread their networks.
“The NBN CSAS product also offers additional potential for operators including other wireless applications such as deployment of Wi-Fi or Small Cell coverage. By offering this new product and making the most of our network and existing infrastructure, NBN is delivering new value to the community.”