Article: Better phone reception for Sydney trains

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Better phone reception for Sydney trains

Better phone reception for Sydney trains

Monday, July 16, 2012 » 08:15am

Commuters will start receiving phone and internet coverage in some of Sydney's train tunnels this week - 16 years after Optus first offered to carry out the work.

The telco is laying 10km of cabling on the North Shore and Western lines so that mobile, laptop and tablet users no longer suffer regular network drop-outs.

But it's been a long time coming.

NSW Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said Optus first approached the state government in 1996 offering to do the work.

She blamed the previous Labor administration for failing to take up the offer: 'It is ridiculous it has taken this long.

'We have listened to the feedback and this is another win for customers who have for so many years been frustrated with the lack of coverage in tunnels.'

Ms Berejiklian said Optus and Telstra customers will get coverage between Central and Chatswood stations later this week.

Vodafone customers will get reception in tunnels at a later date.

Network cabling will be laid on the City Circle and Eastern Suburbs lines in future.