Increased activity as the Ravenswood Gold operation ramps up is putting pressure on the local mobile phone network, sparking calls for action.

Local MP Robbie Katter said while the mine had brought a great boom to the town, the contractors working on the extension project on top of mine workers and locals were putting an intense strain on the current Telstra tower.

Locals had advised that having no access to internet or mobile phone reception was a daily occurrence, taking a toll on their livelihoods, businesses, and education, the Member for Traeger said.

Mr Katter said the Federal Government, and Telstra, needed to do more to guarantee the delivery of vital telecommunications services.

“They want the prosperity and the good that comes with large operations such as the mine, but aren’t willing to combat these issues that undoubtedly come with an operation of this scale,” he said.

Telstra regional general manager for Far North Queensland Rachel Cliffe said Telstra was one of three mobile carriers providing mobile coverage into Ravenswood, which also received internet coverage via the Federal Government’s NBN satellite service.

“The expansion of the mine site and influx of additional workers has resulted in additional demands on our mobile network and resulting in a poorer experience for local residents and businesses,” she said.

“Recognising this, Telstra did have discussions with the mine to see if they would be interested in constructing a new site that would help deliver extra mobile capacity and coverage for their workers and the residents but they declined.

“Providing regional connectivity is not just a Telstra responsibility- it’s a challenge that must be shared between Federal, State and local governments and with providers such as the NBN, us and other mobile carriers.”

Ms Cliffe said Telstra was awaiting teh outcome of an application to build a new mobile base station in Ravenswood under the second round of the Regional Connectivity Program.

This would see the cost of the project shared between Telstra, the Commonwealth Government and the Queensland Government, she said.