Action description:
A competitive grants program to improve mobile phone infrastructure in regional and remote Australia.
Outcome:
Outcome 17
Status:
Existing
Is this Indigenous specific?:
No
Indicators:
Proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households accessing the internet, Proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing the internet
Responsible Ministers:
Minister for Communications
Resourcing:
$311.4 million in total program funding nationally, including $40 million allocated to the Improving Mobile Coverage Round. As at 18 May 2023, 1079 Rounds 1-5 base stations complete (90%). The rollout of Round 5A has commenced in 2022-23. The Government committed $400m in additional funding in the October 2022-23 Budget for further mobile investment on highways and blackspots, a part of the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. A $50m Round 7 of the MBSP opened for applications on 20 March and will close on 12 July 2023, with $7.5m dedicated to solutions in First Nations communities across regional Australia.
Delivery timeframe:
2023-24, with the bulk of Rounds 1-5A base stations expected to be completed by 30 June 2023.
Agency:
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts