Claims of "ghost phone networks" in the Central Highlands

The Central Highlands Telecommunications Working Group (CHTWG) is demanding urgent accountability from Telstra after technical data exposed a dangerous failure in Telstra’s official mobile network coverage maps, which has caused a life-threatening risk to the general public in the area.

Despite early 2026 upgrades to their Reynolds Neck and Barren Tier sites—which Telstra claimed would boost capacity by 300 per cent —the area remains plagued by ‘ghost’ mobile network coverage issues and failing emergency communications.
"We are experiencing public emergency calls failures and emergency service personnel losing connectivity during active emergency call-outs, putting public safety at risk", says the CHTWG.
From June 30 2026, Telstra will stop selling services in areas where its R.S.R.P. mobile network signal strength exceeds -115 dBm, effectively shrinking its coverage footprint and isolating communities even further.
It is claimed that Telstra has prioritised capacity over geographical service coverage, leaving tourists and residents in high-risk zones without a lifeline.

With Winter also fast approaching, unreliable connectivity is not just an inconvenience; it’s also a huge public safety risk.
The most alarming evidence mentioned the failure of public emergency calls and service dropouts experienced by emergency service volunteers during active call-outs.
"Network reliability is not a luxury—it is a basic public safety requirement, and while we acknowledge the network investment made this year by Telstra, the reality ‘on the ground’ is that network connectivity has become more unreliable. We will not allow our communities’ safety to be compromised as we approach the alpine winter season”, the CHTWG added.
The CHTWG claim its ‘on-the-ground’ testing has debunked Telstra’s network service coverage maps, identifying chronic failures in high-traffic and high-risk zones, including in the communities of Bronte Park, Little Pine Lagoon, Miena, Breona, Liawenee, Flintstone and Wilburville. 

Network "blackspots" have also been identified at locations along the Highland Lakes Road (between Bothwell and Breona) and the Marlborough Road (between Miena and Bronte Park).
The CHTWG said Telstra will conduct a comprehensive network performance review and develop a transformation plan. This plan specifically targets ‘ghost’ mobile network coverage areas and at peak network congestion periods, including weekends and public holidays.
The CHTWG will continue to push community mobile network service delivery concerns to federal government regulatory agencies, including the TIO, ACMA and ACCC, to ensure regional telecommunications standards are fully complied with and not just promised by Telstra.