Telstra customers between Coonamble and Baradine may gain access to improved 4G and 5G service in their area through one of several mobile towers along the Inland Rail route.

Work began on the Calga Road site in mid-2024 about 11.5 kilometres from the turnoff from Tooraweenah Road.

The tower will be one of seven funded by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) to serve the sections between Narromine and North Star along its planned freight rail between Queensland and Victoria.

The Calga tower is expected to come online in early 2025.

"Inland Rail trains will require mobile telecommunications infrastructure to ensure train drivers and train equipment can communicate with network controllers at all times," an Inland Rail spokesperson said.

"This enables safe rail system operations by ensuring train drivers and network controllers are always able to keep in touch regarding train movements.

The tower at the Calga site waiting to be propped up.

"However, this rail safety equipment also has a positive benefit for communities.

"Mobile phone users will be able to make use of the Inland Rail infrastructure for their personal telecommunications needs."

Six towers are already up and running along the Narromine to Narrabri (N2N) and Narrabri to North Star (N2NS) sections, including in Mount Tenandra and Kickabil.

The sites provide 4GX coverage, Telstra's upgrade on the 4G network, which the telcos say is faster and allows more devices to use it at once.

The tower had been expected to go up earlier this month, although heavy weekend rain (last week) prevented workers and a crane accessing the site.

"As the mobile telecommunications enhancements are rolled out, Telstra will manage the ongoing operations and maintenance once the infrastructure has been delivered," the Inland Rail spokesperson said.