The Australian federal government has started accepting applications for $150 million in funding to improve connectivity in rural, regional, and remote areas.
The funding consists of $50 million for handheld mobile coverage under the seventh round of the mobile black spot program and $100 million for broadband and/or mobile coverage in eligible locations under the third round of the regional connectivity stream.
A portion of the funding, approximately $22.5 million, will be dedicated to supporting infrastructure in First Nations communities to achieve equal digital inclusion by 2026, as per Target 17 of the Closing the Gap initiative.
The government encourages organizations proposing mobile solutions to develop multi-MNO solutions that include active sharing proposals. The Productivity Commission has also called for greater transparency in government telecommunications funding decisions, including evaluating the outcomes of previous investments and improving transparency in funding allocation for existing regional digital infrastructure programs.
The commission suggested the government consider competitive tendering for subsidised services to deliver productivity-enhancing access to low-cost and reliable internet services.
