38/06
9 May 2006
Connect Australia —improving regional communications
The Australian Government is providing $3.1 billion for the Connect Australia telecommunications assistance package to further encourage competition, future proof services in regional areas and provide major targeted funding assistance.
“Connect Australia will provide many opportunities for both industry and regional, rural and remote communities,” said the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan.
“It will give Australians access to better telecommunications services, help revitalise community economies, allow more people to work remotely or from home, and encourage small businesses.”
The Connect Australia programs will roll out broadband to people living in regional, rural and remote areas, extend mobile phone coverage, build new regional communications networks and set up vital telecommunications services for remote Indigenous communities.
The programs are:
- Broadband Connect , with $878 million for improved broadband services in regional Australia ;
- Clever Networks , with $113.4 million to rollout innovative networks for new innovative applications to improve the delivery of health, education and other essential services;
- Mobile Connect , with $29.5 million to extend terrestrial mobile coverage and continue satellite handset subsidies for more remote areas; and
- Backing Indigenous Ability , with $89.9 million to deliver a package addressing phones, Internet and videoconferencing in remote Indigenous communities, and improve Indigenous radio and television.
The Government is currently considering a revised strategy for Broadband Connect, aimed at achieving a major investment in new broadband infrastructure in regional areas, to address existing gaps and to provide a strong framework for competition and enhanced broadband services into the future.
“The $2 billion Communications Fund will deliver an income stream to fund Government responses to the recommendations of future legislated reviews into regional telecommunications. The first regular review will commence before the end of 2008,” Senator Coonan said.
For further information on the Connect Australia package and the individual programs is available at http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_business/funding_programs__and__support/connect_australia.