Getting the right gear for tough-as-nails rural coverage

We’re always working to improve our network in rural areas, but did you know that not all phones are created equal when it comes to coverage? If you’re going bush – or need a phone that can stand up to the elements when you’re there – we’ve got you covered.
Janet Barnes · 21 February 2020 · 5 minute read

Making it easy with Blue Tick

We’ve got all the latest and greatest smartphones on our network, and we make sure they’re rigorously tested before we stock them. The devices that perform the best in tough coverage areas are awarded our highest honour: the Blue Tick.

Our coveted Blue Tick signifies that a mobile device has been thoroughly tested and delivers superior voice coverage in rural and regional areas. Devices are tested for receiver sensitivity in a laboratory under controlled conditions and in rural areas on the Telstra Mobile Network, ensuring optimal call quality for customers.

In our handset testing facility, we’re able to simulate how you’d use a new phone as if it were being held in your hand on the very edge of a coverage area. By replicating how phones are used in the real world, we’re able to get the best results for our rural customers.

We seal handsets in our specialised echo-free chamber to ensure that tests are accurate and only the best-performing devices are awarded the prestige of carrying the Blue Tick. And to make extra sure the handset performs well, we then take it out into rural areas to replicate these test results for double-confirmation of its performance.

When you’re shopping for a new phone, make sure you look for the Blue Tick to ensure you’re getting the best network experience possible when you’re in the bush.

If you’re looking for a device that can not only keep you connected in rural areas, but also stand up to being accidentally dunked in a horse trough, we’ve got the tools for the job.

When the going gets tough

We know how popular our line of Tough Max devices are – which is why we’ve got the band back together for the brand new Tough Max 3!

There’s loads to like, but most importantly, the new Tough Max 3 is tougher than ever before.

It’s a phone that loves getting dirty on the job. It carries an IP68-rating for dust and water resistance. Spend a day getting it filthy in the top paddock, and you can dunk it in water to clean it off! It’s can be immersed in up to 1.5 metres of water for up to 30 minutes, meaning it’s great for those little accidents.

It’s also packed with all the mod-cons, like USB-C, a fingerprint sensor for security, facial recognition and more. The facial recognition works great when you’ve got your hands dirty, allowing you to unlock the device hands-free.

You also get a dual 16-megapixel + 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera for your snaps, and a big 3920mAh battery to keep you going.

It’s not only Blue Tick-rated, it also carries an external antenna port so you can boost your coverage even more (external antenna is sold separately).

And to make sure it stays pretty while you treat it mean, the Tough Max 3 comes with a screen protector in the box!

The Tough Max 3 is available from today for $499 outright, and on our 24- or 36-month repayment options on our new plans at an extra $20.79 or $13.86 per month (plus plan costs) respectively.

Keeping regional Australia connected

The toughest phones need the toughest network, and we’ve got coverage where it counts. We’ve got a long history of providing vital connectivity to regional, rural and remote communities around Australia, and that’s not about to change.

We cover over a million square kilometres more than any other network in Australia, and our footprint is only growing.

In addition, we’re proud to partner with the Federal Government on the Mobile Black Spot program where we build new towers in regional and rural areas to connect the nation to new digital opportunities.

Under the Mobile Black Spot Program we have delivered over 640 mobile base stations. Through these investments and more, we’ve been able to add another 185,000 square kilometres of coverage for Australian communities. That’s more than twice the size of Tasmania!

When the fourth round of the Program is done and dusted, we’ll have built over 780 new sites and contributed more than $280 million to giving Australians the best network the country has to offer.

We also have a range of repeater and extender devices for improving your network experience.

It is all part of our commitment to providing our customers with Australia’s largest and fastest mobile network, based on national average combined 3G/4G mobile speeds.

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By Janet Barnes

Regional Australia Executive

Janet Barnes joined Telstra in November, 2015 and leads a national team as the Regional Australia Executive. Janet’s diverse industry portfolio includes senior leadership positions within Pharmaceutical, FMCG and more than 10 years within the Financial Services Industry. With an Executive Masters of Business Administration, Janet is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (WA), Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and holds several board positions with the Australian Institute of Management (WA) Advisory Council, Perth Public Art Foundation and West Australian Opera.

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