The Victorian government has said its Regional Rail Connectivity Project (RRCP) has provided around a quarter of the Vlocity train fleet with mobile signal boosters while 35 new mobile towers are being built along the Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo, Traralgon, and Seymour lines.
The V/Line Vlocity trains will continue being fitted with the boosters each week until all are connected by the end of the year under the AU$18 million RRCP aimed at removing mobile blackspots along the lines.
According to the state government, the project will deliver an additional AU$20 million per year to its economy.
"We're getting on with the job of delivering the mobile coverage that our regional rail passengers deserve," Victorian Minister for Innovation and the Digital Economy Philip Dalidakis said.
"Whether passengers want to do business, browse social media, or call their loved ones to tell them they're on the way home, this project will ensure regional passengers are connected."
The government also pointed towards its free Wi-Fi services in Bendigo and Ballarat, as well as its multimillion-dollar fund for connecting regional communities[1] announced last year as part of the state Budget.
The Victorian government had announced the RRCP[2] a year ago, saying it would partner with Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone Australia to build towers and install reception repeaters on trains, enhancing the signal from mobile towers along the train lines.
At the time, Vodafone said it would be building 23 of the 35 new mobile towers.
Optus then signed a AU$16 million co-funding deal with Victoria in October to build out an additional 25 mobile towers[3] in regional areas to provide around 5,000 premises with mobile coverage by the end