Telecommunications

The Shoalhaven area has a range of services which are constantly being improved as the rollout of the NBN continues and as more mobile phone towers are being built and commissioned.

The NBN is currently being rolled out across the Shoalhaven with priority being given to designated business areas.

Find out if the NBN is available in your area:

There are many internet service providers that operate across the Shoalhaven. Many national brands operate in the area as do the major mobile network providers.

For a list of internet service providers go to the Business Services section of the Shoalhaven Business Register.

Because of the terrain within Shoalhaven coverage on the Mobile Network depends on where you are, the mobile handset, tablet or mobile broadband device you're using, and whether there’s an external antenna attached. It's important to understand that different devices have different capabilities. How each device performs depends on network coverage and device type, make and settings. There are some important factors to consider when choosing a mobile device and any accessories:

• Where you'll be using your device, and
• Whether you'll be using it in handheld mode, with a directly coupled car kit and an external antenna or with a patch lead and an external antenna.

Coverage

Each major provider has a coverage map for their network. Links to the major providers operating in the Shoalhaven are below:

• Telstra
• Optus
• Vodafone

Southern Phone Company is one of the largest and most successful providers of fixed line, mobile and Internet communications services in regional Australia.

It was formed in 2002 after receiving $4.77 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Networking the Nation scheme. The vision was to deliver more affordable telecommunications services to regional communities and to share the success with those communities. Under Southern Phone's Constitution, only Australian Local Government Councils can hold shares in Southern Phone Company Ltd and Shoalhaven City Council is one of those shareholders. Dividends are paid to the Local Government shareholders and used for the benefit of their local communities.

Southern Phone now serve a national customer base, from Cape York to Zeehan, from Bega to Broome. They provide more than 130 jobs at the Moruya (NSW) head office and have returned millions of dollars to regional communities since the first dividend was declared in 2009.

Shoalhaven City Council utilises the dividend income to generate economic development projects that can deliver jobs and community enhancement within the City like the proudly Shoalhaven campaign in which local businesses outline the advantages of living and working in the Shoalhaven.