Telstra says coming upgrades will bring Lightning Ridge up to speed, with work to improve the 4G tower starting on 28 November.

The telco warns residents can expect mobile disruptions from Monday 8 December for around four days.

Locals are hopeful the expected spotty service will not affect the town too much during this time.

Telstra Regional General Manager Mike Marom says locals will see improvements to the current 4G service in and around Lightning Ridge.

The service updates are expected to help deliver faster downloads, smoother streaming and less congestion for customers.

“We know how important mobile connectivity is for Australians, whether you’re in the city or the country," he says.

"Adding extra 4G capacity to our mobile site in the area will help deliver faster downloads, smoother streaming and less congestion for customers."

The upgrades will also set up the tower for future 5G developments, but there is no date for when that will be.

Australia was introduced to 5G in 2019, making lightning Ridge late to the fast-internet party.

Narrabri, Coonamble, Warren, Nyngan, Cobar and Trangie are already equipped with 5G service [IMAGE: SUPPLIED TELSTRA].

Lightning Ridge Telstra customers will face disruptions in calls and messaging while the Woololoo Road station base in town is being upgraded.

“While disruption is required while the upgrade is underway, we’ll only be switching off the site when we need to and will have it back online and working better than ever as quickly as possible," Mr Marrom says.

Customers can continue to make calls and send texts during disruption to mobile services by switching on wi-fi calling.

They say the option is available on most phones.

Lightning Ridge businesses are being encouraged to have a backup plan, as technology may be affected during this time.

But bowling club supervisor Elanor Beaumont says she would not mind the delays if it means the service is upgrading.

Currently with Telstra, Ms Beaumont said it is the best mobile provider in town.

"Hopefully it doesn’t affect town too much," she says.

The Opal Cave Lightning Ridge is also with Telstra, but luckily worker Justine Colville-Buckley says the eftpos is connected with Optus and wifi, so the business will be able to operate under Telstra disruptions.

As for her personal mobile connection, Ms Colville-Buckley is not too phased.

"I guess I'll just have to read a book," she says.

Both Ms Beaumont and Ms Colville-Buckley were surprised to hear about the Telstra upgrades, both saying the service in the area is already pretty good.