Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT IN THE SENATE

Call for submissions on broadband solutions for remote areas

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, has today called for submissions on policy and funding initiatives to provide enhanced broadband to rural and remote areas.

“The Australian Government is committed to improving broadband for all Australians, including the two per cent of homes and businesses which may not be covered by the National Broadband Network,” Senator Conroy said.

Submissions on remote broadband will be accepted in parallel to proposals to roll-out the National Broadband Network. This consultation process seeks to explore options for those remote areas outside the coverage of the network.

“The Government has already committed $95 million for the Australian Broadband Guarantee for the 2008–09 financial year,” Senator Conroy said.

“This process will explore long-term options that ensure rural and remote areas of Australia have access to the best available broadband services through future-proof telecommunications infrastructure. This could include enhancing the Australian Broadband Guarantee program to achieve outcomes comparable to the National Broadband Network.”

Submissions will be considered by the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee, led by Dr Bill Glasson AO, who will deliver a comprehensive report to the Minister in August on ways to improve telecommunications in rural and remote areas of Australia.

Submissions are invited from industry, public interest groups and other stakeholders including respondents to the National Broadband Network. It is important to note that submissions are not related to the RFP process and will be considered separately.

Submissions should be addressed to remotebroadband@dbcde.gov.au and be received by 5.00pm AEST June 30. Any enquiries about lodging submissions can also be sent to the email address above.

11 April 2008

Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457