New towers will be built at Pomonal, Lower Norton, Brim, Winslow, Woolsthorpe and Hawkesdale.

The tower sites were chosen to provide, when built, consistent mobile coverage to more than 800 premises that previously had poor or no mobile services.

Bushfire prone areas were also considered a priority.

Optus contributed a majority of the funds for the $16 million co-investment with the state government for new towers across Victoria.

Victorian Innovation and the Digital Economy Minister Philip Dalidakis said the towers were due to be completed by the end of 2018.

“Those living in regional Victoria deserve better mobile coverage in their homes, workplaces and while they travel, and we thank Optus for helping us get on with the job of delivering it.”

Regional Development Minister and Western Victortia MP Jaala Pulford said the new towers would help improve bushfire preparedness.

“Community safety is our number one priority. We’ve worked closely with Emergency Management Victoria to ensure our regional communities in these areas have mobile access,” she said.

“Mobile connectivity is vital for our regional economy – that’s why we’re working with industry to deliver projects that give regional Victorians access to the same technology as those in the city.”

Optus Vice President of Regulatory and Public Affairs Andrew Sheridan said the telecommunications company was commited to regional Australia and improving mobile coverage outside of metro areas.