Government moves forward on $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme

The Abbott Government has received a wide range of submissions in response to its Discussion Paper on the $100 million Mobile Black Spot Programme.

A significant number of submissions commented on the design and implementation of the programme, and many nominated specific locations as candidates for improved coverage.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher MP said he was pleased with the submissions received and thanked the individuals and organisations which had contributed.

“The Abbott Government understands the importance of mobile coverage for people in outer metropolitan, regional and remote Australia. That is why we have committed $100 million to improve mobile coverage by rolling out new mobile base stations, funding which will be allocated through a competitive selection process designed to leverage a significant co-contribution from mobile carriers.” Mr Fletcher said.

The Government will develop a database of locations eligible for funding based on the locations nominated to the Department of Communications.

This database will be provided to the mobile network operators and other companies which will be invited to lodge bids under the competitive selection process, which is expected to occur in the second half of this year. In the first half of 2015 the Government expects to be in a position to announce the locations that have been chosen, and in the second half of 2015 it is expected that the first base stations to receive funding will start to roll out. “I welcome the input we have received in these many thoughtful submissions, which are being carefully considered as we finalise the design of the programme”, Mr Fletcher said.

Submissions commenting on the design and implementation of the Mobile Black Spot Programme are available to view at http://www.communications.gov.au/mobile_services/mobile_black_spot_programme