Labor is promising to improve mobile phone coverage and digital TV reception in the federal seat of Shortland.

Local MP Pat Conroy and Shadow Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland made the undertaking during a stopover at Eleebana on Tuesday 19 April, vowing to invest in new infrastructure in black spot areas.

Working with telecommunication companies, the party will spend $2.25 million to enhance services in Eleebana, Jewells and Redhead regions, Lake Munmorah and Budgewoi.

It follows on from their plan to install a new tower with Optus at Mount Hutton, which Telstra and Vodafone are co-locating at.

A further $2.5 million will go towards upgrading television signals in the electorate.

Mr Conroy said he’d raised the issue and requested the government expand the Mobile Black Spot Program to include his region for years.

However, his calls had been repeatedly ignored.

“Reliable, quality mobile phone and television signals are not a luxury or a nice-to-have,” he said.

“They’re essential communications infrastructure.

“The Liberals and Nationals have been in government for nine long years but have refused to do anything to address this significant problem.

“It is intolerable that so many residents and businesses in the Shortland electorate continue to have unreliable mobile phone reception.

“This is particularly shocking when people have been forced to work from home during the pandemic.

“For example, they’ve struggled to make or receive phone calls or cannot have telehealth appointments.”

Mr Conroy said the Australian Communications and Media Authority would be tasked with conducting a field study to identify optimal locations for up to three digital TV towers.

“This will deliver significant improvement to quality of life in the region, not just Shortland, but also with potential for areas in Newcastle, western Lake Macquarie, the Hunter Valley and the Central Coast,” he explained.

Ms Rowland echoed her colleague’s sentiments.

“Improving connectivity is a top priority for Labor,” she said.

“This is why we’ve committed to a better plan for the NBN and a smarter plan for expanding regional mobile coverage.

“We will grow the economy by investing in productivity enhancing digital infrastructure, as well as improving quality for locals and road commuters through better mobile coverage.”

Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.