As part of the Australian Government'sBetter Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia (Better Connectivity Plan), funding is available for competitive grants through Round 3 of the RCP.

Applications for RCP Round 3 funding are now open to interested parties from the telecommunications industry, regional communities, regional development organisations and local businesses as well as local, state and territory governments. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with state, territory and local governments, and local and First Nations communities on proposed solutions.

This is a combined grant opportunity up to $150 million, bringing together the Mobile Black Spot Program and the RCP in two streams, to improve mobile and broadband connectivity in regional, rural and First Nations communities across Australia:

• A $100 million Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream for place-based solutions that deliver new or upgraded broadband services or upgraded mobile services in eligible locations across Australia;

  • $15 million (GST exclusive) under the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream for solutions that improve telecommunications infrastructure in First Nations communities;

• A $50 million Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream that delivers new handheld mobile coverage to rural, regional and remote locations across Australia.

  • $7.5 million (GST exclusive) under the Mobile Black Spot (Round) 7 stream for solutions that provide new mobile coverage in First Nations communities.