Telstra network switch delay is welcomed

— Melissa Meehan
MOBILE phone users in the Yarra Valley now have more time before they are forced to change from Telstra’s CDMA network to the new Next G.
The Nationals push to delay the closure of the CDMA mobile phone network has paid dividends, with the government deciding to support this delay.
Federal leader of The Nationals, Warren Truss, said serious concerns about the planned closure that were raised by him, his colleagues, and farming, business and community organisations, had been heeded.
The Minister for Communications, Senator Stephen Conroy, has been able to delay the closure because of laws proposed and passed in Parliament by the Coalition last year.
Instead of closing on January 28, the CDMA network will now be open until at least April 28, according to Senator Conroy’s announcement.
“It has been clear to many thousands of Australians living outside the major cities that Next G is not yet providing the service and coverage that users have come to expect under CDMA,” Mr Truss said.
“The Government’s decision is welcome. It is now critical that the Government and Telstra work closely together to ensure that CDMA users will be able to obtain appropriate phone services on the new network.
“Telstra should be on notice that the closure will be delayed again if the coverage issues are not resolved.
“The existing problems involving Next G coverage and handsets need to be dealt with to ensure phone users in regional and rural areas get the communication services they need and deserve,” Mr Truss said.