First step on $100 million regional mobile coverage programme with release of discussion paper

“Today’s release of a discussion paper seeking feedback on how to structure the $100 million regional mobile coverage programme is the first step towards improved mobile coverage in many areas of Australia,” said Paul Fletcher, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications.

“The Coalition made an election commitment to invest $100 million to improve mobile phone coverage in outer metropolitan, regional and remote communities – and we expect to leverage at least an additional $100 million in investment from the mobile phone carriers and other parties.

“Inadequate mobile phone coverage is a significant concern for regional communities. Lives can literally depend on accessing mobile phone networks in emergencies, so expanding mobile phone coverage has clear benefits to public safety – as well as to the productive capacity of regional communities.

“This discussion paper describes several possible options for allocating this funding and seeks comment from those with an interest in the programme.

“The Government is keen to hear from mobile phone carriers and other industry participants, and from other levels of government – but also from residents and community leaders in outer metropolitan, regional and remote communities around Australia.

“We want to drive this money as far as we possibly can, which means maximising competitive tension between bidders.  We also want to make sure this programme not only boosts mobile coverage but also stimulates competition in regional and remote mobile communications,” Mr Fletcher said.

The funding has two elements.  The $80 million Mobile Network Expansion Project will improve mobile coverage along major transport routes, in small communities and in areas that are prone to experiencing natural disasters; the $20 million Mobile Black Spot Project will improve mobile coverage in locations with unique coverage problems such as areas with high demand for services during seasonal holiday periods.

The discussion paper mentions strategies to maximise the impact of this funding, including co-investment from other levels of government (both state and local) and from businesses and other proponents, as well as from mobile phone carriers and other industry participants; and leveraging the towers and backhaul connections of NBN Co’s fixed wireless network.

“The previous government did very little to improve mobile coverage in regional and remote Australia,” said Mr Fletcher.  “By contrast, the Coalition is taking action on this pressing priority.”

The discussion paper is available from the Department of Communications’ website at http://www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_coverage_programme.

Email submissions can be sent to the Department of Communications to [email protected]. Submissions can also be sent via post to:

The Manager
Mobile Coverage Programme
Department of Communications
GPO Box 2154
CANBERRA ACT 2615

The closing date for submissions is 5:00pm 28 February 2014.