Govt plans better mobile coverage in housing estates, free First Nations Wi-Fi

A state and territory working group established by the Australian Government has agreed to national planning principles to ensure more Australians have reliable mobile coverage as soon as they move into a new housing estate. The agreement follows the government’s changes to the Telecommunications in New Developments (TIND) policy, announced in February, where all new housing developments of 50 house lots or more should include consideration of mobile coverage during planning processes.

The new national principles:

• recognise the need for reliable mobile telecommunications connectivity as an essential utility in all established and future growth areas;
• respond to shifting demands on mobile networks and accept additional infrastructure will be needed to provide sufficient coverage and capacity;
• promote infrastructure sharing, and its benefits, in deployments;
• ensure early intervention and appropriate regulatory safeguards enable streamlined development approval barriers;
• safeguard identified sites to support both existing and future mobile telecommunications and enabling infrastructure;
• encourage improved information sharing between telecommunications and planning authorities on existing and planned coverage for expected re-zoning and land releases.
   

The Mobile Telecommunications Working Group, which developed the national principles, is co-led by the Commonwealth and NSW governments and comprises senior communications and planning government officials from the Commonwealth, states and territories.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said mobile coverage is an essential service, just like food and water, and that it is unacceptable that Australians are moving into new housing developments without access to decent connectivity.

“The report from the Mobile Telecommunications Working Group, agreed by state and territory planning ministers, outlines new principles for a nationally consistent planning approach across jurisdictions,” she said.

“I look forward to working with the states and territories to implement this streamlined approach and delivering a better-connected Australia.”

The news comes just weeks after the government moved forward with its plan to bring free community Wi-Fi to remote First Nations communities, with work to narrow the digital gap currently underway across an initial 18 communities. Free Wi-Fi in these communities will boost opportunities for education and training, employment, jobs and business, and improve access to services and information.

Through a partnership with NBN Co, the government is developing tailored broadband solutions that meet the needs of remote First Nations communities. The services will be provided through NBN Co’s Sky Muster technology, with communities playing a pivotal role in the design process, including by:

• identifying where the service should be located, and in which buildings;
• scoping the hours of operation;
• determining controls around broadband access amongst the community.
   

As part of the $20 million commitment, made in February, the first communities should receive the free services by the end of the year. The 2024–25 Budget includes funding to increase the number of communities set to benefit, as well as to establish a First Nations Digital Support Hub and a network of digital mentors to develop digital capability and support safe use.

“The Albanese government is determined to narrow the digital gap for First Nations Australians,” Rowland said.

“We know that remote First Nations communities remain some of Australia’s most digitally isolated. That’s why our free community Wi-Fi program will support these communities to get online in a safe way, guided by the priorities of the local community.

“I am pleased 18 communities are already working collaboratively with NBN Co to co-design these services. I look forward to more communities joining the program over the coming months to ensure remote communities can access the same services enjoyed by Australians in our major cities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/gorodenkoff