JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

THE HON MICHELLE ROWLAND MP, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS

THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP, FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR

The Federal Government is encouraging telecommunications service providers to team up with local communities to apply for the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) and Regional Connectivity Program (RCP) grants program, with $160 million in funding available to ensure all Australians have access to improved phone reception and broadband, regardless of where they live.

Funding for communications installations or improvements in regional, rural, remote and First Nations communities is available to community groups, councils, telcos and mobile network operators, via two streams:

• $110 million is available under Round 3 of the RCP, including indicative funding for telecommunications infrastructure solutions in First Nations communities in eligible areas across Australia ($15 million) and in Central Australia ($10 million); and
• $50 million is also available under Round 7 of the MBSP, including indicative funding of $7.5 million for solutions that provide new mobile coverage in First Nations communities.

The combined total of $32.5 million earmarked for First Nations communications is an important step towards achieving Target 17 of the Closing the Gap initiative, which aims to ensure First Nations people have equal levels of digital inclusion by 2026.

Telcos, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), councils, community groups, Members of Parliament and other interested parties are encouraged to work together during the application development period to develop multi-carrier solutions. This ensures that communities receive the maximum benefit from public funding of new infrastructure.

These programs are part of the Albanese Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia which is providing more than $1.1 billion to rural and regional communities – including $656 million to improve mobile and broadband connectivity and resilience in rural and regional Australia.

Applications for this combined grant opportunity have been extended and now close on 12 July 2023. To apply, visit grants.gov.au and search for Grant Opportunity GO6185.

For more information on the MBSP, visit infrastructure.gov.au/mbsp  

For more information on the RCP, visit infrastructure.gov.au/rcp

For more information on the Better Connectivity Plan, visit infrastructure.gov.au/bcp

Local residents who would like to report a mobile black spot or internet coverage issue can contact Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann’s office by phone on (07) 3201 5300 or email at [email protected] 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland MP:

“The Albanese Government’s $160 million combined Mobile Black Spot and Regional Connectivity grants is a key demonstration of our commitment to improving communications outside our capital cities.

 “This co-investment will help Australians living and working in rural, regional, remote and First Nations communities keep in touch with loved ones, run local businesses, and stay connected during emergencies.

“The Albanese Government is committed to narrowing the digital divide for First Nations Australians, and these grants open significant opportunities to do so.

“With grant applications closing soon on 12 July, I encourage local communities to work with their councils, Members of Parliament and telcos to submit applications”.

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann:

“I’m proud to belong to an Albanese Labor Government that takes narrowing the digital divide in rural and regional communities like mine so seriously.

“I strongly encourage telcos to work with councils, residents and community groups in rural Ipswich and the Somerset Region and consider making an application by the July deadline to ensure local upgrades can be rolled out as part of these two funding streams.

“More generally, I urge telcos and service providers to work with their customers and local residents to address any mobile phone reception and internet coverage issues across our region.”