043/06
15 May 2006
More money for Satellite Phones under Connect Australia
The Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme, which is making mobile communications more accessible and affordable for people living or working in the most remote parts of Australia, will be extended until 2009, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, announced today.
“The Australian Government is continuing to fulfil its commitment to provide greater access to affordable mobile telecommunications in areas without terrestrial mobile services,” Senator Coonan said.
The extension of the scheme will be funded from the Government's $29.5 million Mobile Connect program, as part of the $3.1 billion Connect Australia package.
“Since the scheme's inception in 2002, funding of more than $8 million has supported the purchase of over 7000 phones by Australians living or working in rural, regional and remote areas,” Senator Coonan said.
“This investment in the satellite phone subsidy has seen significant development of the satellite phone market in Australia. At the same time, the terrestrial mobile phone network has continued to expand, reducing the number of Australians in need of satellite phones.
“The expansion of terrestrial coverage has been assisted by Government investment of nearly $145 million in new mobile phone infrastructure in smaller towns and along highways in regional areas.”
The Government will make changes to the satellite phone subsidy scheme on 1 July 2006, following a review, to ensure it continues to be well targeted.
“These changes include increasing the level of support available to Indigenous corporations who may now be able to receive more than two subsidies in some circumstances, and introducing educational institutions as an eligible category,” Senator Coonan said.
The level of subsidy will no longer be dependent on the applicant's choice of call plan which will make it easier for the customer and dealer to calculate the subsidy amount. With the increased affordability of satellite phone services, the Government has refocused the levels of subsidy available to applicants.
During 2006–07, people who live or operate a business in an area without terrestrial mobile coverage could get a subsidy of up to $1200 towards the cost of a satellite phone handset, and others could get a subsidy of up to $900 if they spend significant time in such areas. These rates will reduce annually over the remaining period of the scheme.
Draft revised guidelines and application forms can be viewed and downloaded from the SPSS website www.dcita.gov.au/satphone. Interested parties are invited to comment on these documents. The period for comment closes on 29 May 2006.