A new Telstra mobile tower, capable of providing 4GX and 5G bandwidths, has been installed at the far right of the Kilmore Public Cemetery.
Standing just above 35 metres in height, the installation brings Kilmore’s mobile tower count to seven, five of which are already operational under the telecommunications provider.
Driven by the $540 million Victorian Government-funded Connecting Victoria Program, which aims to see Victoria ‘The most connected state,’ by providing reliable and enhanced network coverage, the tower is currently one of 751 projects in progress, with 999 already completed.
Beyond improving the state’s coverage, the Connecting Victoria Program will also aim to improve the nation’s average mobile network download speed, which as of August sits at 97.86 megabytes per second (Mbps).
The figure, released by Speedtest, an Ookla brand that provides a monthly snapshot of global mobile network and fixed broadband speeds, sees Australia ranked in at 18th on the global chart, behind countries such as the United States and China.
Though some residents have raised concerns about the health and safety of the tower, an Environmental Electromagnetic Energy (EME) Report, organised by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (arpansa), shows that the maximum EME level calculated for the site is 3.61 out of 100 per cent of the public exposure limit.
Additionally, while a sign at the tower states, ‘Do not stand in front of antennas,’ a Telstra spokesperson informed the Review that this a standard sign to warn workers working on the tower, and given the positioning of the antennas, pose ‘no risk to anyone on the ground.’
The spokesperson continued on to state that the tower, once online, would improve the township’s network service and coverage.
“Telstra began installing a mobile tower in September to improve 4G and 5G coverage and capacity in the Kilmore area,” they said.
“We spoke with many landowners in the area in order to lease a suitable site, and the Kilmore Cemetery Trust expressed their interest to provide the required space. We are forecasting the site will be on air in December, subject to project milestones, and once complete, it will mean better mobile services for local residents.”
