There’s good news for Byron Bay festival-goers who have experienced poor phone reception in North Byron Parklands. A deal has been struck between Parklands’ operators, Splendour In The Grass and Falls Festival organisers and Telstra, which will see the national telco provide extra connectivity to its mobile users in and around the Parklands’ venue, including local residents and festival management.
Telstra are ready to supply two portable mobile base stations, affectionately known as COWs (Cells On Wheels), for future events held at North Byron Parklands, and will also install fibre optic cabling which will connect the COWs and provide strong access to mobile voice and 3G/4G data. The COWs will be ready for use at the forthcoming Falls Festival celebrations.
Jessica Ducrou, co-producer of Splendour In The Grass, has said, “It’s a fantastic result and we applaud Telstra for their genuine interest in working through a very complex set of constraints and finding a solution for both their customers and Parklands.”
Mat Morris, General Manager of North Byron Parklands, adds, “As with any outdoor events, whether they are metropolitan or regional, there can be a strain placed on mobile communication networks… This outcome with Telstra strengthens the local mobile network and will bring a much greater level of connectivity for local Telstra users.”
Most importantly, however, the enhanced connectivity is sure to help Telstra-connected punters quickly share their festival snaps on social media, and find their friends amongst the huge music-loving crowds.
