Senator Fiona Nash

CDMA MUST STAY UNTIL NEXT G IS UP TO SCRATCH

Nationals Senator Fiona Nash has reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring mobile phone users in rural and regional areas are in no way disadvantaged when Telstra switches off the CDMA network. The Senator joined other Nationals at the party’s Federal Council in Canberra today in passing a resolution calling on the telco to upgrade the level of Next G mobile phone coverage to at least that received under the CDMA network, and for the CDMA network to remain until Next G signal strength and coverage replicates that provided by the CDMA network. “I have said from the beginning that Telstra must not be allowed to switch off the CDMA network until there is at least an equal level of coverage provided by the Next G network,” Senator Nash said. “At this stage, the feedback I am getting from country areas is that some people have not been impressed by what they’ve seen so far of Next G services. Based on this feedback, and my own personal experience, I am yet to be convinced of the service parity provided by the Next G network.” Senator Nash said she is particularly mindful of those customers who don’t officially fall within the formal coverage areas. “It’s all well and good to compare official coverage maps, but we need to ensure that those who are currently receiving fortuitous coverage are not left behind either,” Senator Nash said. “If after the coverage audits have been completed it’s found that Telstra hasn’t delivered on the promise to provide equal service levels, the Government must step in and put a licence condition on Telstra to ensure the CDMA network is not shut down until Next G coverage is adequate. There should be no loss of service, no matter what. “I won’t be happy until every single person who has been able to use their CDMA phone has the same, if not better coverage under the Next G network.” Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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