Mobile phone coverage in Australia is good, with phone services reaching 99% of the Australian population in urban areas and many regional spots. However, not all places have mobile phone coverage. For instance, there is no, or poor, mobile phone voice and data reception in many regional and remote areas (known as mobile blackspots). So if you ever get into a blackspot in Australia, you won’t be able to make an urgent phone call.
Digital connectivity has become more important as the economy adjusts to the post-COVID-19 pandemic post, particularly for regional and remote communities. If you live within urban areas or in a more densely populated area, it’s more likely that you’ll not have an issue finding good mobile coverage. At times, we even take mobile coverage for granted because we know it’s always there. But for those in regional and remote areas, finding good network coverage is vital where the lack of mobile connectivity may affect the quality and reliability of services.
Phone networks, of course, play a role in ensuring connectivity in the outback; and before signing up for any mobile phone plan, you should check the mobile coverage where you live and work, because no coverage means you can’t use even your most expensive smartphone. Thankfully, Telstra offers its Blue Tick certification to let customers know which phones have superior mobile coverage performance when they’re out in the bush.
The list of Telstra Blue Tick phones promising to deliver the best coverage experience is extensive, but first, let’s find out what “blue tick” means and how it works.
What is Telstra’s Blue Tick?
The Telstra Blue Tick is the mark given to mobile devices that have been thoroughly tested to ensure they deliver superior voice coverage in rural and regional areas. These mobile 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 who live and work in rural areas.
Telstra started the ‘blue tick’ program 10 years ago to see how devices perform for call quality. They have tested hundreds of devices on the 3G 850MHz and 4G 700MHz bands to determine their voice call performance, and the best performers in tough coverage areas or those devices deemed to provide good voice coverage are given the ‘blue tick’.
How does Telstra test Blue Tick phones?
Phones are tested for their signal strength and receiver sensitivity in controlled settings and then out into rural areas to confirm their true performance. Telstra says a phone’s antenna strength can also make a big difference in terms of connectivity. For this reason, a device with even a small amount of extra signal strength can result in many kilometres of additional coverage when you’re at the back and beyond connectivity.
Essentially, the Blue Tick test will assess a phone’s performance on a voice call when you’re holding it in your hand to your ear. Blue Tick (certified) phones are the best-performing devices that have been extensively tested to ensure optimal call quality and that you will find the best coverage in places where other devices struggle to get a signal.
Do you need a Telstra Blue Tick phone?
Telstra’s 4G network covers 99.4% of the population, making it the farthest-reaching network and the most reliable network in the country. That being the case, you don’t necessarily need a Telstra Blue Tick phone if you live in an urban centre with reliable 4G and 5G coverage. But if you’re out in the sticks and need the best coverage you can get, you might need to look for the Blue Tick phones from Telstra.
Telstra’s Blue Tick certification isn’t just for premium devices. The list of Telstra Blue Tick phones is extensive to let you stay connected anytime, anywhere. From something basic to the latest mobile devices, you can take your work anywhere without worrying about network coverage. If you want to explore your options, feel free to contact Azentro for more info.
Regional coverage tips: How to get the most out of your Blue Tick phone
Here are a few tips from Telstra’s engineers to help you get the most out of your Telstra Blue Tick phone and maximise your regional and rural coverage.
- Hold your phone as light as possible.
How you hold your phone actually matters a lot. Hold your phone in such a way that you’re not obstructing the antenna lines. Removing the case, or even going to the highest location in your home, can improve signal strength. - Turn on Wi-Fi calling and SMS.
Poor mobile signal inside your home but not outside? Turn Wi-Fi calling and SMS on to make phone calls or send texts as normal using your home internet, even without any mobile coverage. - Use a headset or headphones for calls.
Weak or inconsistent signals can result in audio issues and affect the quality and stability of your calls. Check the physical connection between you and your phone. Using a headset or headphone instead of a speaker can reduce or eliminate echoes during calls. - Make use of a repeater or antenna.
A mobile signal repeater is used to improve mobile signal within buildings with poor coverage and in remote locations. An external antenna or repeater is much larger than the antenna on your phone and can pick up coverage your phone can’t. It then repeats that signal for a short distance for your phone to connect to.
Rising to the rural connectivity challenge
Mobile phones these days are unlocking productivity opportunities for personal and business communications through the mobile internet. It is clear that the demand for mobile connectivity will continue to grow and play a central role in driving economic growth in rural areas and keeping remote communities in Australia connected.
Mobile connectivity in rural areas makes it easy with Blue Tick for the following reasons:
- Better phone battery life
- Clear, uninterrupted communication
- Better access to data
- Secure collaboration
- Quick access to emergency services
- Continuous learning and business innovation
Digital inclusion for all by increasing mobile broadband coverage is an important issue to address when our aim is to close the urban-rural digital divide. Good connectivity, reliable high-speed broadband, good practices, and choosing the right partners can make a big difference in addressing the rising rural connectivity challenge. This calls for mobile phones that can rise to the challenges of rural connectivity, like the Blue Tick-certified phones. As a Telstra Business and Enterprise Partner, Azentro can help you choose the most suitable business mobile phone option both in price and requirements.
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