Mobile Network Hardening Program open
MNHP Round 3 is providing $20 million (GST exclusive) in grant funding for Resilience Upgrades to mobile telecommunications infrastructure to reduce the risk of outages and improve restoration times during and after a Natural Disaster. Applications are invited from the telco industry for Resilience Upgrade projects from the:
$10 million (GST exclusive) ‘Regional and Remote Australia’ stream for Resilience Upgrade projects in regional, remote and very remote Australia; or
$10 million (GST exclusive) ‘Peri-urban Fringe’ stream for Resilience Upgrade projects in the peri-urban fringe of 19 capital and major regional cities.
The Mobile Network Hardening Program is an Australian Government initiative funding upgrades to improve the resilience of Australia's mobile network telecommunications infrastructure in regional and peri-urban Australia to:
prevent outages during a natural disaster;
strengthen the resilience of telecommunications facilities to allow them to operate for longer during natural disasters; and
support the rapid restoration of services following an outage.
Funding for the Program was provided in the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which was announced in the 2022–23 Budget.
Round 3
Round 3 opened for applications on 25 October 2024, with the Grant Opportunity Guidelines, Application Form and supporting documents available on GrantConnect. Applications for co-funding are open to Mobile Network Operators, Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers and Network Management Providers.
Applications must be lodged by Friday 20 December 2024 (5:00pm AEDT).
Applications must be submitted in accordance with the Guidelines. Applicants are encouraged to review the Round 3 Project Noticeboard proposals (see below) when preparing their applications. You should also review the Guidelines and complete the Application Form, including providing the requested supporting documents.
The Government is providing up to $20 million (GST exclusive) for Round 3, which will fund mobile telecommunications Resilience Upgrades in areas impacted by, or at risk of, Natural Disasters in:
regional and remote Australia, and
the peri-urban fringe of 19 capital and major regional cities.
The focus on areas impacted by, or at risk of, Natural Disasters reflects the increasing exposure of many regions to these events, and the need for communities to access resilient mobile communications services during and after these events.
The peri-urban fringe is where the bush meets the edges of the suburbs, creating risks of Natural Disasters for those living and working in these areas.
Expansion of Round 3 to include peri-urban areas ensures these communities will also have access to resilient mobile communications services during and after Natural Disasters.