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Telcos and local communities have until 10 February 2023 to give their comment on the design of two government programs aimed to boost regional connectivity and mobile coverage.
Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said, “The Albanese Government is committed to narrowing the digital divide and ensuring regional, rural and First Nations communities have the connectivity they right deserve.
Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) Round 3 will provide funding for location-based connectivity solutions and expand new handheld mobile coverage to rural and regional areas.
With a goal of eliminating the digital divide, the $150 million financing pool will provide specialised funding for initiatives in First Nations communities.
Read also: Aussies urged to ‘Connect. Reflect. Protect.’ on Safer Internet Day 2023 (commsroom.co)
To ensure that the final design and rollout of these initiatives can deliver the mobile and broadband solutions that regional areas need, the consultation process is soliciting views from local communities, businesses, state and local governments, and industry.
The government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which received a $1.1 billion funding boost in the October Budget, includes the draught guidelines, which were open for public comment beginning in December.
“That’s why the October Budget delivered $2.2 billion to improve communications in regional and rural parts of the country who more acutely experience Australia’s tyranny of distance,” Rowland said.
“I encourage individuals, industry, local government and communities to have their say before the end of the week to ensure the Regional Connectivity Program meets the needs of communities outside our major cities, including by delivering the investment needed to address problem mobile black spots.”
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Source: Michelle Rowland Media Releases
Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
