Most of Awakino Gorge in King Country now has mobile phone coverage for the first time.
Telecom has built a mobile tower in the gorge which it says will also improve coverage on State Highway 3 in North Taranaki.
The gorge has been a hotspot for accidents, especially involving trucks.
The Taranaki Regional Transport Committee chairman says the expanded coverage will improve notification and response times for those needing help after accidents and breakdowns.
Roger Maxwell says the committee has advocated for improving telecommunications in the area for some time.
