Govt funding resilient comms for disaster-prone communities

The Australian Government is continuing its efforts to strengthen the resilience of mobile network communications in regional, remote and peri-urban Australia to keep communities connected during and after natural disasters, with up to $20 million now available through Round 3 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program (MNHP).

The MNHP co-funds projects with mobile carriers and tower companies to deliver upgrades that reduce the risk of outages and improve restoration times; for example, portable generators, backup power equipment and physical mobile tower hardening. Round 3 of the program is open to projects located in natural disaster-prone areas in regional and remote Australia and, for the first time, in the peri-urban fringe of 19 capital and major regional cities.

Applications for Round 3 close at 5 pm AEDT on 20 December 2024. An online Project Noticeboard, which allows communities to provide advice to the telco industry on potential projects or locations, will be open until 13 December 2024.

“The Albanese government understands how vital telecommunication services are for keeping communities safe, connected and informed during disruptions, emergencies and natural disasters — in some circumstances, it can mean the difference between life and death,” said Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland.

“I encourage local communities to speak with their councillors, state, territory and federal representatives to identify potential projects or locations that could benefit from improved communications resilience.”

Meanwhile, local communities are being asked to help identify potential locations for the next round of Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) funding, through a Project Noticeboard opened by the government last week.

The MBSP invests in telecommunications infrastructure to deliver new and improved mobile coverage and competition across Australia. Round 8 of the program — which will open for applications from industry later this year — will provide $55 million in government co-funding, targeted at natural disaster-prone locations in regional and rural Australia to better assist local communities during and after emergencies.

The online Project Noticeboard allows local councillors and state, territory and federal parliamentarians to identify potential projects. Telco industry applicants are encouraged to review these submissions when preparing their applications. The noticeboard will close three weeks after the MBSP Round 8 opens for applications.

“Round 8 of the Mobile Blackspot Funding Program will focus on regional and rural locations that are prone to natural disasters to better protect communities during their greatest time of need,” Rowland said.

“I welcome input from local communities through the online Project Noticeboard on how to best target the upcoming funding round which will open later this year.

“I encourage people to speak with their local councillors or state, territory and federal parliamentarians to make their voice heard.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Nes