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Backing Indigenous Ability Telecommunications Program

The Backing Indigenous Ability Telecommunications Program (BIA Program) is a $36.6 million initiative to help improve communications services in remote Indigenous communities. It is designed to address the need for telephones, internet and videoconferencing, provide training and skills development and promote and develop Indigenous online content.

Backing Indigenous Ability is part of the Connect Australia package.

News

Update: 12 August 2008

Providers intending to submit an application for the Community Phones program to supply, install and maintain community telephone services in remote Indigenous communities are advised that the closing date for applications has been extended to 5:00pm Thursday 21 August 2008 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

Applications from Potential Providers of Community Phones to Remote Indigenous Communities

The Australian Government is seeking applications from suitable providers capable of supplying, installing and maintaining community telephones in remote Indigenous communities.

Community phones are shared public access phones that are operated using a prepaid card and housed in a robust case to protect them from the environment and damage.

They are expected to be placed in up to 300 remote Indigenous communities located in New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

A competitive selection process will be undertaken to determine a supplier to provide these services.

Applicants should note that the project is conditional upon funding being approved by the Australian Government.

Documents on the Australian Governments requirements for the application process can be downloaded from the following links:

For more information call 1800 355 014 or email bia@dbcde.gov.au

Submissions must be provided to the Department by 5.00pm 14 August 2008 (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

BIA Program Round 2 on hold

Applications for funding received under Round 2 have been put on hold to allow us time to see how effective our approach is in helping bridge the information technology gap that exists in many remote Indigenous communities.

An evaluation of the computer and internet access packages provided under the former Telecommunications Action Plan for Remote Indigenous Communities is currently underway and those provided under Round 1 of the BIA Program will be undertaken later this year. Further funding rounds will be considered following the evaluation.

NITV & IRRR

Due to changes in Government the National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Indigenous Remote Radio Replacement (IRRR) programs and now administered by the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.

BIA telecommunications program fact sheet

Maps

  • Document ID: 37851 |
  • Last modified: 12 August 2008, 4:58pm