087/05
2 August 2005

$50 million for metropolitan broadband unveiled

The Australian Government’s $50 million plan to improve broadband access in metropolitan areas was released for public consultation today by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan.

The discussion paper is the first stage of the consultation process for the Metropolitan Broadband Blackspots Program and will give stakeholders and Internet Service Providers an opportunity to provide input on how the program will be designed and administered.

“The Government has committed $50 million over three years to helping people in metropolitan areas that are unable to access a broadband service, reap the benefits of faster Internet connections,” Senator Coonan said.

“The program will offer Internet service providers subsidies in return for connecting consumers in metropolitan areas who cannot currently receive broadband, to affordable broadband services.

“It will specifically target areas where problems with network infrastructure make it unlikely that affordable broadband services will be made available commercially within an acceptable timeframe.

“The discussion paper identifies a number of key design challenges and invites feedback from stakeholders.

“The program will be broadly based on the successful Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme, which has already connected more than 600 regional and rural communities to broadband in the past year.”

Industry and other key stakeholders are requested to provide feedback on the issues raised in the discussion paper by COB Wednesday 31 August 2005.

The discussion paper and information on how to make a submission is available online at http://www.dcita.gov.au/tel/mbc/mbc_discussion_paper.

Media Contact: Jane McMillan 0438 690 305

www.minister.dcita.gov.au