Indigenous Communications Program

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The Indigenous Communications Program is a $30 million initiative to help improve communications services in remote Indigenous communities. The program is part of the Australian Government’s response package to the Regional Telecommunications Review and provides essential telephone services, basic public internet access facilities and computer training for many remote Indigenous communities.

The Indigenous Communications Program commenced in 2009-10 and over four years will deliver:

  • a fixed or mobile satellite community telephone to around 300 remote Indigenous communities that do not currently have access to a public telephone
  • ongoing maintenance of around 550 Indigenous community telephones, comprising around 300 new phones and 250 existing phones, and
  • in collaboration with state and territory governments, expanded public internet access and delivery of computer training in up to 120 remote Indigenous communities that have limited or no public access internet facilities.

Community phones

Access to a telephone is a basic communication need. Without a telephone service, many remote Indigenous communities are unable to access emergency medical assistance, government services or maintain contact with family and friends.

Remote Indigenous communities with a population of less than 50 that do not have reasonable access to a public payphone may be eligible for a community telephone under the Indigenous Communications Program. Communities may  receive either a fixed community telephone or a mobile satellite handset depending on their circumstances.

Fixed community telephones

The fixed-line community phone should be installed at a site that offers 24-hour access to community members and has adequate lighting. The equipment includes robust phones designed to withstand environmental extremes and damage. The equipment will include either standard Telstra handsets inside a robust phone casing or stand-alone facilities provided by Australian Private Networks (APN) that may include solar and satellite equipment attached. Communities will not have to pay for ongoing line rental charges for these phones.

Anyone can nominate an eligible community by completing a PDF fileCommunity Phone Agreement and Nomination Form (PDF, 319 Kb).

Mobile satellite handsets

Mobile satellite handsets are generally provided to smaller or transient communities. The handset comes with associated equipment including a solar charger, protective case and user manual. The handsets are operated using prepaid cards. The Department will provide some prepaid cards with the handset and may provide additional prepaid cards after six, nine and 12 months.

Anyone can nominate an eligible community by completing a PDF fileCommunity Phone Agreement and Nomination Form (PDF, 319 Kb).

Communities that already benefit from improved telephone services

Since the announcement of the Indigenous Communications Program, the Department has:

  • installed a further 12 fixed community phones using terrestrial infrastructure in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory under an agreement with Telstra
  • installed 27 fixed community phones using satellite technology in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory under an agreement with Australian Private Networks Pty Ltd
  • provided six mobile satellite handsets to very small remote Indigenous communities, and
  • continued to monitor and maintain around 250 existing fixed community phones and 24 mobile satellite handsets.

Details for the locations and phone numbers of fixed community phones are available at PDFCommunity Phone Numbers (PDF 57 kb).

The Department is seeking nominations for eligible communities. Anyone with an interest may nominate a community by submitting a Community Phone Agreement and Nomination Form. All nominations must be endorsed by a Commonwealth or state or territory government official.

The Department has contracted Community Liaison Officers to help identify and nominate remote Indigenous communities that may be eligible. They will also assist telecommunications service providers, existing nominating agencies and the communities themselves in the installation and operation of community phones.

Internet access and training

The internet access and training component of the Indigenous Communications Program will be delivered in collaboration with participating State and Territory Governments. On 2 July 2009, the Council of Australian Governments agreed to the PDFClosing the Gap: National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Public Internet Access (PDF, 314KB).

Under this Agreement, the Commonwealth will provide $6.97 million over four years to New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory to improve public internet access and provide basic computer training.

Remote Indigenous hub communities that have limited or no public internet facilities and a permanent resident population of greater than 100 people will be targeted under this initiative.

This Agreement will contribute to the following outcomes in remote Indigenous communities:

  • increased public access to online resources and services, principally for financial, educational, health, economic and social purposes
  • increased awareness of the benefits and uses of online resources and services
  • increased computer literacy enabling effective use of information and communication technology and the internet
  • increased information literacy enabling the search for, evaluation and use of online information and
  • increased internet use that facilitates transactions and communication with government agencies, businesses, communities and families

This National Partnership will also contribute to the Australian Government’s commitment to close the gap in Indigenous disadvantage.

Further details

Please contact the Indigenous Communications team on 1800 355 014 or ICP@dbcde.gov.au for further information on the Indigenous Communications Program.

Maps

 
Document ID: 37851 | Last modified: 22 December 2009, 11:59am