Telstra 5G network switched on in Ararat Rural City

Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison together with Telstra’s Regional General Manager, Steve Tinker, today announced the completion of a major mobile network upgrade in Ararat, bringing 5G services to the city for the very first time.

Ararat Rural City is now among a growing number of cities in western Victoria with access to Telstra’s next-generation 5G mobile technology, including Ballarat, Horsham, and Hamilton. Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison emphasised the importance of the 5G upgrade in enhancing the region’s liveability, safety and growth of households and businesses.

“One of Council’s top priorities is improving connectivity, which will help drive innovation and encourage more investment in our region,” Dr Harrison said. “We know there’s appetite for people looking to relocate to Grampians region. With the Telstra 5G network, those reconsidering their living options can continue to stay connected and work remotely with faster technology. This helps make Ararat a prime location for those looking for a tree-change.

“Ararat now has the same mobile connectivity you may expect in capital cities and it means our region is now playing on the same field, putting us right in the frame for smart, high-tech jobs,” said Dr Harrison. Steve Tinker, Regional General Manager, Telstra is excited for customers in greater

Ararat Rural City to experience the latest mobile technology. “Bringing Telstra 5G to Ararat means faster download speeds, better capacity on the mobile network even at the busiest times, and lower latency connectivity which provides a platform for the future of technology and innovation,” said Mr Tinker.

“We’ve been busy upgrading our mobile network in Ararat to bring 5G services to the city for the first time but the benefit of these upgrades is they’ll also improve the underlying network capability, boosting capacity and speeds for Telstra’s existing 4G customers as well. Businesses in the region across a range of industries – including those in construction, professional services, health and IT - are set to benefit from the 5G upgrade.

There’s confidence in the services Telstra provides, with the majority of mobile (88%) and internet users (69%) in Ararat Rural City already using the Telstra network due to widespread coverage, according to Council’s business and internet survey. Local resident and owner of Grampians Office Services, Greg Day commented on the huge increase in internet speeds on the 5G network in Ararat after testing the service on his own device.

“The connection speeds are incredibly fast, nearly triple my existing download and upload speeds,” Mr Day said.“This is a game-changer for my business which relies heavily on mobile data while I’m out visiting clients or installing software whilst working remotely.”

“Greg is a great example of someone who relies on a solid reliable internet connection every day,” added Dr Harrison. “Businesses today are transforming their working environment and processes for a modern workforce – one that encourages a diverse, collaborative and flexible way of working.

“Council is committed to improving our recreation, tourism and cultural opportunities while unlocking access to technology advancements that drive local innovation and build our future economy. “It’s an exciting time to call Ararat home and Council is committed to making our city a great place to live, work and invest,” concluded Dr Harrison.