The Albanese Government is seeking local feedback on new guidelines that will drive investment to address poor mobile coverage in Jamberoo, Lilli Pilli, Worrigee, Kangaroo Valley, and along the Princes Highway between Ulladulla to Batemans Bay and from Batemans Bay to Eden.
Feedback from industry and the community will help inform the Grant Opportunity Guidelines for the $40 million Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR) of the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP).
This initiative, announced in the 2022-23 Federal Budget, will help deliver on the Albanese Government’s 2022 Federal Election commitment to improve mobile connectivity across regional Australia.
The IMCR will provide grant funding to Mobile Network Operators and Infrastructure Providers to address identified mobile coverage and quality of service issues in 54 target locations.
In addition to regional communities, this dedicated round of the MBSP is targeting mobile coverage issues along a number of regional roads and highways to ensure travellers have access to essential mobile services in the event of an emergency.
The IMCR complements the Albanese Government’s $2.2 billion investment in regional telecommunications over the next five years through the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. The Plan commits a further $1.1 billion to regional communication, including $656 million in new measures which will deliver on pre-election commitments. Other measures include:
- $400 million to improve coverage along regional highways, roads and in underserved communities.
- $200 million for additional rounds of the Regional Connectivity Program to fund a broad range of place-based communications solutions;
- $30 million to expand on-farm connectivity and drive productivity through machine to machine networks;
- $20 million to complete an independent audit of mobile coverage to identify black spots, and;
- $6 million to extend the Regional Tech Hub which provides expert advice to regional customers on how to connect and stay connected.
Local residents interested in having their say on the draft Guidelines should do so by 5pm (AEDT), 28 November 2022 by visiting www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say.
More information about the MBSP, including the list of targeted locations under the IMCR, is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp.
Further information on the Better Connectivity Plan is available at www.infrastructure.gov.au/bcp.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
“The Albanese Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia delivers on commitments to improve the digital quality-of-life and bridge the digital divide for Australians – no matter where they live. The Budget also contains $400m to expand mobile coverage and boost communications resilience, and the Department expects to begin consultations on these next year.
“This new funding addresses known mobile communications issues at 54 target locations, including several across the South Coast. I strongly encourage industry and local residents to contribute their feedback on the guidelines for this important program.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP:
“I’m pleased to see the Albanese Government is getting on with the job of improving local mobile coverage across the South Coast.
“No one knows the trouble spots better than local people who are dealing with them every day and ensuring those voices are heard as part of this process will ensure we get the best possible outcome for local families and small businesses.
“I strongly encourage local people to participate in the public consultation process, and look forward to working closely with our community to deliver the reliable mobile coverage we deserve”.
