MP Jaala Pulford announces upgrades to 5G in Warrnambool ahead of whale-watching season

Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy Jaala Pulford on Monday announced Optus would upgrade seven mobile stations from 4G to 5G.

The upgrades will be made between 2023 and 2024 with Warrnambool included as a key tourism hotspot.

It will cover 285 square kilometres to include Warrnambool, Allansford and Dennington.

Warrnambool Base Hospital, which is run by South West Healthcare (SWH) and Deakin University's Warrnambool campus were announced as among the 21,500 premises to benefit from the upgrades.

A SWH spokeswoman said as one of south-west Victoria's largest employers it always welcomed investment in digital infrastructure in the region.

"Our healthcare service, and the people who we provide care to, rely on fast and reliable internet and mobile connection to assist our teams within the hospital," she said.

"It also assists staff on the road providing care in people's homes."

Deakin University also welcomed the news, but said staff and students already had access to high-speed connectivity.

The university's south west Victoria chief executive officer Grant Sutherland said students and staff located in the area covered by the upgrade would enjoy the improved connectivity including download speeds.

"Being in a regional area, quality mobile phone coverage is critical as it to allow our community to work more effectively and efficiently, particularly with hybrid learning and blending working between home and campus," Mr Sutherland said.

The upgrades are through the state government's Connecting Victoria program, aiming to improve mobile coverage and broadband across the state.

Ms Pulford said connectivity gaps were holding businesses back and affecting people's everyday lives, so the state government aimed to help Victorians access reliable mobile coverage 'no matter where they live'.

"We're approaching whale-watching season in Warrnambool and busy times like this highlight how important mobile connectivity is in helping tourism businesses to scale up and thrive," she said.

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