Port Douglas, parts of Douglas Shire to experience mobile phone disruptions as Telstra upgrades 4G coverage

Port Douglas and parts of the Douglas Shire will experience local phone disruptions from today as Telstra adds extra infrastructure to bring better 4G services to the community.

Telstra said improvements will temporarily impact mobile coverage at various times during daylight hours from today until March 14.

Telstra mobile customers have been sent text messages advising of the upcoming work.

Landline services, NBN internet services and mobile coverage from other providers will not be impacted.

Any calls to Triple Zero from a Telstra mobile when the site is off air will automatically be diverted to any working mobile network for connection to emergency services.

Telstra regional engagement manager Josie Pickering said while crews need to work during daylight for safety, they'll only be switching off the site when they need to and will have it back on as quickly as possible.

“Where possible we will just be switching off the parts of the tower we are working on, leaving the rest operational," she said.

"While coverage and capacity will decline during this time, we want to keep the amount of time the site is off air to an absolute minimum.

“There's never a good time to undertake this sort of work but once it is completed, it will mean better mobile services for local residents.

“Telstra does have other mobile base stations located close by at Port Douglas which may help provide some coverage, but most of our mobile coverage for this area does come from this base station so there will be an impact.”