OVER a dozen new mobile towers have been promised to the Border region today as part of a $100 million Federal package to reduce black spots in regional areas. Both Victoria and New South Wales governments received a slice in the Federal funding and have announced plans to build over 100 Telstra and Vodafone mobile towers in each state to strengthen service signal and increase mobile speeds and reliability for residents. The Riverina Highway between Corowa and Finley, Burrumbuttock, and Indigo, Towong, Benalla, and Alpine shires will be some of the areas in the region to benefit from the new mobile towers. Both State and Federal MPs have welcomed the funding. This is great news for thousands of mobile users across the electorate, which will help them conduct everyday business, essential calls or simple and routine communication, Farrer MP Sussan Ley said. Northern Victoria Region MP Jaclyn Symes said the upgrade was vital for keeping regional Victorian safe. Public safety and emergency management were also high priorities in developing the Labor Governments submission to the black spots program, focussing on improved access to emergency information in the event of bushfire, she said. The news has also been welcomed by Albury MP Greg Aplin, who outlined problem black spot areas to the Federal Communications Minister earlier this year. I am delighted that we have now secured four priority towers to deliver coverage along the Riverina Highway and in other areas, Mr Aplin said. Todays announcement delivers a key election commitment because mobile coverage is critical for people living in rural areas and for access to emergency services. Victoria has committed $21 million and NSW is investing $24 million to the project. In addition to the $100 million in Commonwealth funding for the first stage of the program, a further $60 million in funding has also been announced for round two, to build 200 new 4G mini base stations. Earlier this week, Federal Indi MP Cathy McGowan called on Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull during Question Time for an update on the Mobile Black Spot Program.