Telstra to build 22 new WA mobile towers

Telstra will build 22 new mobile phone towers across regional Western Australia after the state government announced it would invest $45 million into boosting mobile coverage.

The funding will cover the construction of 85 mobile phone towers overall, starting next month, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2018.

The initial 22 sites will cost $10 million to build, and will deliver $27 million in value to local communities, according to Telstra.

It follows from the government's $40 million push to provide greater connectivity for regional areas, which saw it collaborating with Telstra until September last year to build 113 new and upgraded towers along major highways and in 15 communities.

The new funding round will aim to reduce gaps in mobile coverage across regional WA.

Of the initial 22 sites, Gracetown will be one of the first to receive a new mobile phone tower, scheduled for completion by June 2015, WA regional development minister Terry Redman said in a statement.

Telstra will supply a portable cell system until the new 60 metre tower is functional.