The federal government released last week a database of 6000 locations in outer metropolitan, regional and remote Australia, nominated as having inadequate mobile coverage.

The black spots project, eligible for funding under the Abbott government's $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme, is expected to leverage at least an additional $100 million in investment from bidding parties, state governments and local councils.

Mr McCormack maintained the Riverina's unique geography hampered mobile phone coverage across the third largest electorate in NSW.

"I drive the width and breadth of the electorate and recognise the number of black spots," he said.

"There's 171 black spots in the Riverina but dare I say that's a conservative estimate and I argue there are a lot of other communities who did not put their hands up.

"You could spend all that money in the electorate and still not cover it all."

Mr McCormack was optimistic about the likelihood to secure a portion of funding for the electorate, but realistic about the amount and scope.

"Yes (I am optimistic), but I will say it's not going to fix every problem," he said.

"It's a good start and I will continue lobbying for the funding."

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher visited Narrandera and Tumut with Mr McCormack to highlight the lack of service on the perimeters of his electorate.

"It's always been a priority of mine," Mr McCormack said.

"It's not just a convenience issue...it's also a safety issue."

Mr McCormack noted Tumbarumba Shire Council had expressed their willingness to co-fund towers alongside other priority areas.

The program is expected to provide between 250-300 new mobile base stations across Australia, with the funding allocated through a competitive selection process, under which Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and other specialist mobile infrastructure providers will nominate locations.

Local government areas targeted include Griffith, Coolamon, Temora, Narrandera, Carrathool, Hay, Leeton, Bland, Murrumbidgee, Lockhart and Wagga.

The locations to be funded will be chosen through a competitive selection process, designed to direct the funding to locations of greatest need, with no set funding allocation per state.

One base station is expected to provide mobile coverage to a number of black spots in about 4500 of the 6000 cases.

In over 80 per cent of the locations nominated, at least 30 per cent of the area within a 10-kilometre radius of the location has coverage today, and in nearly 50 per cent of the locations, at least 70 per cent of the area within a 10-kilometre radius of the location has coverage today.

The government expects to announce successful locations in the first half of 2015.

MOBILE service providers remain tight-lipped on plans to nominate locations to develop up to 300 new mobile base stations across the country.

The federal government last week revealed 6000 recognised mobile phone black spots under consideration to receive a portion of the $100 million pledged by the Abbott government as part of the Mobile Black Spot Programme.

Telstra, Vodafone, Optus and other specialist mobile providers can nominate locations under the competitive selection process that will allocate funds on a priority basis.

"The Mobile Black Spots program is an opportunity to bring mobile coverage to people in the Riverina who currently have none," a Telstra spokesman said.

"As we have the largest mobile footprint to begin with, we are well placed to help extend existing coverage further.

"We are awaiting the detail from the federal government on how the tender for the funding will operate and we expect to be an active participant in it."

Vodafone's head of consumer relations, Michelle Quint, clarified it would take time before the business put forward any submissions.

"We are currently in the process of reviewing the list of sites nominated under the programme," she said.

"Vodafone is pleased that the Commonwealth's mobile coverage program has emphasised the need to deliver both improved coverage and competition to regional Australia.

"Since 2010, Vodafone has increased its network coverage in regional areas by 40 per cent and will spend around $1 billion to deliver faster services and greater coverage in 2014.

"We are currently finalising our network plans for 2015."

An Optus spokeswoman couldn't glean if the Riverina was under its consideration, but said the business advocated a co-build model that encouraged multiple operators to commit to sharing key passive costs before a site was built.

"Government partnerships like the mobile coverage program can improve the commercial viability of particular sites by providing assistance for some of the key commercial costs, like constructions costs and backhaul," she said.

"This can mean that taxpayer funding can be stretched to more sites rather than simply being a 50/50 split for a set number of sites."

Marrar farmer Bob McCormack confimed insufficient signal remained an issue, following concerns expressed in January last year when bushfires tore through the region.

"Nothing's changed," he said.

"The modern world needs immediate communication.

"You can go to the poorest country in the world and still use a phone.

"Of course it's still an issue (in the region)."

Mr McCormack conceded it was now in the hands of the providers and the government.