Draft rules for Round 3 of Australia’s Regional Connectivity Program (including Mobile Black Spot opportunities) are now out for public consultation.
The third round of the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) aims to enhance the availability and quality of mobile and internet services in underserved areas, including rural and First Nations communities.
In the October 2022-23 Federal Budget, the government of Australia announced two more iterations of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
Up to $150 million is available in Round 3 of the Program (excluding GST), which will be used on things like:
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The government strongly encourages applicants, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and other interested parties to collaborate during the application development period on the creation of multi-MNO solutions.
The solutions include those that employ active sharing technologies to address Mobile Black Spots.
As a result of the RCP’s previous iterations, 223 different initiatives have been completed.
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Increased investment in new or updated telecommunications infrastructure in regional, rural, and First Nations communities would further increase digital inclusion, provide social and economic possibilities, and enhance public safety.
New and improved mobile phone and data coverage, targeted broadband deployments, and enhanced microwave and fibre backhaul capacity in places across regional and rural Australia are all examples of possible projects that could receive funding.
In order to create the eligibility and assessment criteria, and the application procedure for round 3, the government will work with local communities and enterprises, state and local governments and the telecoms industry.
The deadline for Round 3 consultations is 10 February 2023 at 5pm AEDT.
Source: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
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