The federal government is advancing its $100 million Mobile Black Spot Program, with the start of the selection process to determine the location of new mobile phone base stations across the nation.

The competitive selection process will entail mobile network operators and infrastructure providers bidding for funding to provide new or improved mobile coverage.

Parliamentary secretary to the minister for communications Paul Fletcher said the government estimated the 

$100 million in federal funding would leverage an additional $100 million in investment from bidders and other parties, including state and local governments, bringing total investment to 

$200 million.

It’s expected the program will fund between 250 and 300 new mobile phone base stations across the nation.

Proposals must be in by March, with the government expected to announced the successful locations by June next year.