The federal government’s election pledge of $40 million to boost mobile coverage across the nation is about to start the consultation phase for its draft guidelines.
According to Michelle Rowland, minister of communications, input from business and neighborhood groups will help shape the initiative’s grant opportunity policies.
Rowland said, “Enhancing connectivity … will support economic and social activity, as well as public safety in under-served areas of rural and regional Australia.”
In last month’s government budget, more than 750 million dollars over five years were allocated to regional connection and resilience.
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Regional Development Minister Catherine King promised that investments will be made “transparently and fairly” as she pledged $400 million of the money toward expanding highway mobile service.
Network operators and infrastructure suppliers will get grant money to help them address 54 target locations’ identified problems with mobile coverage and quality of service.
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The Black Spot Program will focus on coverage difficulties along a variety of roads and highways in addition to local towns to make sure that drivers have access to emergency services.
“I encourage industry and community stakeholders to contribute their feedback on the guidelines for this important program,” said Rowland.
Interested parties may send in their inputs on the draft guidelines until November 28 via www.infrastructure.gov.au.
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
