Applications have opened for Mobile Black Spot and Regional Connectivity proposals, which will help improve communications in regional, rural, remote and First Nations communities.
This opportunity is part of the Australian Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia which is providing more than $1.1 billion to regional communities, including $656 million to improve mobile and broadband connectivity and resilience in regional Australia.
Up to $150 million (GST exclusive) is available for this combined Round, comprising two streams:
A $100 million (GST exclusive) Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream for place-based solutions that deliver new or upgraded broadband services and/or upgraded mobile services; and
A $50 million Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream to deliver New Handheld Coverage to regional, rural and First Nations Australia.
The grant opportunity will be administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA).
Funding includes $22.5 million (GST exclusive) dedicated to improving telecommunications services in First Nations communities, comprising:
$15 million (GST exclusive) under the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) Stream for solutions that improve telecommunications infrastructure in First Nations communities; and
$7.5 million (GST exclusive) under the Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) Stream for solutions that provide new mobile coverage in First Nations communities.
In this combined Round, infrastructure funded under the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream must provide retail mobile or broadband services to a regional, rural or First Nations community or a subset of the community (such as local businesses, tourist locations, schools etc.) for an operational period of 7 years. Infrastructure funded under the Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream must deliver New Handheld Coverage to regional, rural and First Nations communities for an operational period of 10 years.
To assist collaboration between local communities, the telecommunications industry, governments and other organisations, the Government has launched an online project noticeboard which will enable interested parties to foster links and work together on proposals for funding.