National Broadband Network: Regional Backbone Blackspots Program
As part of the Australian Government's commitment to deliver a National Broadband Network that will provide superfast broadband to Australian homes and workplaces, it is investing up to $250 million to immediately address backbone blackspots throughout regional Australia.
This will:
- deliver an immediate economic stimulus
- reduce the cost of broadband services
- put in place key infrastructure for the roll-out of the National Broadband Network.
On 1 July 2009, the Australian Government issued a Request for Tender to provide transmission links to a number of regional centers where there is a lack of competitive backbone infrastructure (‘blackspots’).
After a rigorous evaluation process, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced Nextgen Networks as the successful tenderer. Nextgen Networks will roll out approximately 6000 kilometres of backbone infrastructure under the Regional Backbone Blackspots Program.
On 17 February 2010, the Minister officially launched the initial construction of the Darwin, Emerald and Longreach route in Mount Isa. Maps of all the Regional Backbone Blackspot Program links are provided below.
Geraldton (WA)
Darwin (NT), Emerald and Longreach (QLD)
Broken Hill (NSW)
Victor Harbor (SA)
South West Gippsland (VIC)
All links (Australia wide)
This infrastructure will provide new backbone transmission links to more than 100 regional locations along the routes to the priority locations. It will enhance competition and encourage retail service providers to improve the range, quality and prices of broadband and telephony services available to Australians in regional areas.
The links are expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. However, the shorter links are expected to enter service earlier.
Nextgen Networks will also operate and maintain backbone transmission links to the priority blackspot locations for an initial five year operational period.
The Australian Government expects the roll-out of new competitive backbone links will benefit regional businesses and residents in a number of ways, including:
- lower prices, greater choice, more generous download allowances and greater access to fixed broadband services
- higher quality and increased availability and choice of mobile broadband services
- lower cost data services for small and medium enterprises and businesses with regional offices.
To facilitate competition, the new backbone transmission services will be offered on open and equivalent terms and conditions to ensure equal access for service providers.
The following documents provide more information on the Regional Backbone Blackspots Program.
Media release: First NBN Building Blocks on Mainland Australia
- Media release: 6000 km regional broadband backbone for National Broadband Network
Regional Backbone Blackspots Program: Fast facts (PDF, 2 MB)
- Regional Backbone Blackspots Program: Indicative route details (PDF, 973 KB)
- Regional Backbone Blackspots Program: Frequently asked questions (PDF, 972 KB)
Consultation paper and submissions
The Australian Government sought stakeholders' views on approaches to address regional backbone blackspots through the Regional Backbone Blackspots Program stakeholder consultation paper.
Submissions in response to the consultation paper closed on Tuesday 12 May 2009.
Contact information
If you would like more information regarding this program, please contact:
Regional Backbone Blackspots Branch
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
GPO Box 2154
Canberra ACT 2601
Email: regionalbackboneblackspots@dbcde.gov.au
