Major govt investment to boost regional connectivity

More than 100 communities and locations across rural and regional Australia are set to benefit from significant communications upgrades made possible by $170.2 million in Commonwealth investment through the Australian Government’s Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) and Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP), both of which aim to narrow the digital divide in rural and regional communities.

The latest program rounds attracted $106.25 million in co-investment to deliver 136 projects across both streams. This combined opportunity will deliver $54.8 million in funding for 44 projects for improved telecommunications services in First Nations communities — supporting progress towards achieving Target 17 of the Closing the Gap initiative, which commits to First Nations people having equal levels of digital inclusion by 2026.

RCP Round 3 is awarding $115.2 million for 74 connectivity projects across Australia, through three separate funding streams:

• $7.1 million for seven projects that target First Nations communities in Central Australia.
• $16.4 million for six projects that target First Nations communities across the rest of Australia.
• $91.7 million for 61 projects targeting connectivity across Australia, including 12 projects in First Nations communities valued at $17.6 million.
   

The overall MBSP Round 7 is meanwhile awarding Telstra, OneWiFi and Optus $41.3 million for 43 new mobile base stations across Australia, plus $13.6 million for 19 new mobile base stations specifically targeting First Nations communities, delivering improved mobile coverage to these communities and improving highway coverage. The program will also fund 25 new OneWiFi neutral host base stations that support multi-carrier outcomes, with Optus confirmed to offer services from the base stations.

“The $170.2 million in grants announced as part of the Regional Connectivity and Mobile Black Spot Programs will make a meaningful difference to rural, regional and First Nations communities across the country,” said Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland.

“This program has delivered in excess of the $15 million initially allocated to target First Nations projects and will go a long way to helping to close the digital gap in remote communities.

“We welcome the co-investment commitments for these projects and strong interest and engagement from states and territories and from industry.”

“Inadequate phone services in regional and bush communities doesn’t just mean a day without scrolling on social media; it means you can’t call the local health clinic and police in an emergency or even buy food with your EFTPOS card,” added Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy.

“This major investment in remote and regional connectivity will be a game changer in ensuring more communities can stay connected and safe with essential and reliable phone services.

“Boosting digital inclusion and connectivity is such an important part of Closing the Gap and ensuring more remote and regional Australians can access the phone and internet services they need.”

Full lists of funded projects under RCP Round 3 and MBSP Round 7 are available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/rcp and www.infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp. The rollout schedule will be published on the carriers’ websites once the contracts have been executed.

Image credit: iStock.com/davidf