The Department of Communications and the Arts has launched a public consultation on the provision of improved digital connectivity for people living in regional and rural Australia.
In a statement, the Department said it was seeking feedback on its plan from the telecommunications industry, all levels of Government and other interested stakeholders.
Announcing the consultation, the Ministers for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher and Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, Mark Coulton, said that in order to meet the needs of regional and remote communities best, it was crucial to get the views of those communities during the design phase of the program.
“Fast and reliable telecommunications are vital for people living in the bush as they need the connections to go about almost every aspect of their lives,” Mr Coulton said.
He said the Regional Connectivity Program was an important component of the $220 million Stronger Regional Digital Connectivity Package and would include up to $53 million in grant funding.
He said the rollout of the National Broadband Network and the Universal Service Guarantee provided a base level of telecommunications services across Australia.
“With the initial NBN rollout almost complete in regional Australia, there is a need for the network to be complemented in some areas with bespoke, place-based solutions,” Mr Coulton said.
Consultation is open until 9 September
The Department’s 12-page discussion paper can be accessed at this PS News link and submissions could be made at this link.
