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Regional communications funding programs

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The Department manages a range of funding programs targeted at improving telecommunications services for communities in regional Australia as well as helping to develop services supporting industry development. Most of these programs are nearing completion and several have closed. This page provides access to information about these programs and the progress being made towards their implementation. Also provided is information on programs that have benefited communities and specific industries and sectors in the past.

Active programs

The following programs have funding available for new projects, or may provide support to consumers on request. Click on the program title to access further information.

Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS)
HiBIS is a $107.8 million Australian Government program providing access to higher bandwidth services for people in regional, rural and remote Australia at prices comparable to those available in metropolitan Australia.

Satellite phone subsidy scheme
The Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme is an Australian Government initiative to make mobile communications more affordable for people living or working in areas beyond CDMA or GSM terrestrial mobile coverage - including aviation and maritime users who fit the eligibility criteria.

Telecommunications research grants
Applications have been sought from individuals or institutions with experience in empirical research to conduct substantive research on telecommunications issues under subsection 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

Consumer representation grants
Funding is being provided to assist in the effective representation of consumers' interests in telecommunications issues, with a priority of the program being that consumers from regional Australia have adequate representation in the development of policy by Government and industry.

Indigenous telecommunications initiatives
Following the release of the Telecommunications Action Plan for Remote Indigenous Communities (TAPRIC), a range of initiatives are being implemented to deliver sustainable telecommunications service improvements to remote Indigenous communities.

Programs nearing completion

While no further funding is available for new projects under the following programs, activity is continuing towards their full implementation. Click on the program title to access further information.

Mobile phones on highways project (MPoH)
$25 million from the second partial sale of Telstra is funding improved mobile phone coverage on a number of national highways.

Mobile for towns over 500
A program for extending terrestrial mobile coverage to towns with a population of 500 or more.

The regional mobile phone program
$50.5 million is being applied to finding ways of providing greater access to affordable mobile telecommunications in areas currently without terrestrial services, including towns with populations under 500 and regional highways.

Launceston Broadband Project
The objective of the Launceston Broadband Project is to trial broadband digital services in Launceston. The project also has its own site external to the Department.

Internet Assistance Program
A joint initiative between the Australian Government and Telstra to help Internet users to obtain a reasonable speed from their dial-up Internet service, with Telstra contributing up to $38 million and the Australian Government contributing $10 million over three years. The project also has its own site external to the Department.

Television Blackspots program
Funded from the partial sale of Telstra, this initiative is one of several programs aimed at improving broadcasting reception in regional Australia.

Completed programs

The following programs are completed and fully implemented. Activities associated with these programs are in most cases continuing without further funding support by the Department. Click on the program name for further information.

Remote and Isolated Islands Fund
A program to assist in meeting the telecommunications needs of people in remote island communities, isolated island communities or the Australian Antarctic Territory.

AccessAbility
Completed in May 2002, this program funded innovative projects that help people with disabilities gain improved access to online information and communications services.

Advanced Networks Program
This $40 million program supports the development, trial and demonstration of advanced networks and test beds that will deliver long term benefits to the Australian economy.

National Communications Fund The $52.2 million National Communications Fund's objective is to achieve significant improvements in service delivery in the education and health sectors through funding large-scale telecommunications projects in regional areas.

The Local Government Fund
A program to assist local government authorities in regional Australia to provide online access to information and services, including the Internet.

Building Additional Rural Networks (BARN)
A program to promote ongoing, sustainable improvements in regional telecommunications services. In the case of the BARN program, the uncommitted funds (totalling $35 million in June 2003) were redirected to the National Broadband Strategy as part of the Government's response to the Estens Report.

Networking the Nation
Networking the Nation has helped bridge the gaps in telecommunications services, access and costs between urban and non-urban Australia.

Document ID: 2362 |
Last modified: 6 February 2008, 11:10am