In response to the 2021 Australian Regional Telecommunications review, the federal government is investing AU$1.3 billion in regional telecommunications.
The centrepiece of the Government’s response is the $811.8 million Connecting Regional Australia initiative, delivering targeted investment across regional, rural and remote Australia and in the urban fringe over five years to build digital infrastructure and skills.
A key objective is to provide an estimated 8,000 kms of new open-access mobile coverage, giving consumers a greater choice of providers. Connecting Regional Australia will also fund:
- place-based and targeted investment to address gaps in broadband and other telecommunication services;
- better network resilience in vulnerable locations;
- trials of emerging technology;
- improvements to connectivity in Indigenous communities; and
- enhancements to affordability for regional low income and income support consumers.
The second key part of the response is the major upgrade of the entire NBN fixed-wireless network, which will be extended to an additional 120,000 premises. All premises in the fixed-wireless footprint will also be able to access higher speeds.
In addition, $5 million over 5 years will expand and continue the Regional Tech Hub to improve consumer support.
A range of policy and regulatory work will take place, including standards, rules and benchmarks for statutory infrastructure providers, developing wholesale and retail standards for other fixed and mobile services in regional Australia, and looking for better ways to deliver the Universal Service Guarantee.
These programs have been instigated by the Government in response to the 12 recommendations of the Review, intended to help drive major improvements to telecommunications access, performance and resilience across the regions.
The Government will soon consult on principles for a new framework for a more coordinated and strategic approach to regional communications investment, followed by consultation on program design over the next few months. This will underpin the provision of funding under Connecting Regional Australia from the second half of 2022.