From
http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,22487752-3462,00.html

ONE of Tasmania's potentially most dangerous tourist destinations now has
mobile phone coverage.

Telstra Country Wide group managing director Geoff Booth yesterday announced
the extension of Next G network coverage to Cradle Mountain and Bass Strait.

However, the Cradle Mountain coverage does not extend to the mountain where
Danish tourist Kasper Sorensen died in July or to the Overland Track.

Assistant Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard said: "From a community safety
perspective, access to mobile telephone and wireless internet services in
the Cradle Mountain area will enhance the operational response capability of
police and other emergency services, especially for incidents such as search
and rescue and road crashes. This results in a safer environment for
residents, business operators and visitors."

Mr Booth said the provision of Next G network services on Bass Strait would
benefit the fishing industry and passengers on the Spirit of Tasmania.

"Passengers can now use ATMs, shop with EFTPOS and get uninterrupted mobile
coverage and fast wireless broadband during the Melbourne to Devonport
journey," Mr Booth said.

"On mobiles, customers can watch 16 channels of Foxtel or 25 Big Pond TV
channels, search Yellow Pages, download music, check weather conditions and
make voice and video calls.

"People in marine and fishing industries will have real-time access to their
corporate email and IT systems while on the water. One fishing company,
Tassal, is even videoing activity in their nets using Next G.

"Moving to just one network, Next G, is allowing us efficiencies which are
enabling us to run services out more broadly."