- Home
-
Communications and technology for business
- News and events
-
Funding, programs and support
- ISP Content Filtering Live Pilot
- Australian Broadband Guarantee - for providers
- Clever Networks
- Backing Indigenous Ability
- Community Connectivity
- Interoperability - Building the case for e-business
- ICT Centre of Excellence - National ICT Australia (NICTA)
- Mobile Connect
- National Broadband Network
- Request for submissions on regulatory issues
- Previous funding, programs and support
- Policy and legislation
- Publications and reports
- Broadband and Internet
- Industry development
- International
- Mobile services
- Security
- Telephone services
- Communications and technology for consumers
- Media and broadcasting
- Post
Related links
Mobile Connect
Print this page
The Mobile Connect program is an Australian Government program with two elements.
The Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme provides support to people in areas beyond 3G or GSM terrestrial mobile coverage areas. Eligible consumers include individuals, small businesses, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, Indigenous corporations, volunteer emergency services and educational institutions.
More information, including the guidelines and application from, is at www.dbcde.gov.au/satphone
On 3 July 2008, the Government released the guidelines for the Mobile Connect program, with applications due by 31 July. Despite extensive discussions with a number of mobile phone companies, and the availability of subsidies of up to 100 per cent of the capital costs, no applications were received.
This indicates that mobile phone carriers are at (or very close to) the limits of their commercial interest in further mobile phone coverage. This is particularly the case for locations with no accessible backhaul.
The Government will maintain a watching brief in case circumstances change. Given the prospects of success through a further funding round are currently low, there are no plans to conduct such a funding round in 2008-09.
The
Regional Telecommunications Independent Review (Glasson Review) has now completed its work and reported to the Minister. The Government will consider mobile coverage issues as part of its overall response to the Committees report. That response is due for tabling in Parliament by 5 March 2009.
Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme
This scheme, through the provision of subsidies, improves the affordability of mobile satellite telephony for people living or working in areas that do not have coverage by terrestrial mobile phone networks.The Satellite Phone Subsidy Scheme provides support to people in areas beyond 3G or GSM terrestrial mobile coverage areas. Eligible consumers include individuals, small businesses, community groups, not-for-profit organisations, Indigenous corporations, volunteer emergency services and educational institutions.
More information, including the guidelines and application from, is at www.dbcde.gov.au/satphone
Terrestrial network extension
Funding of $8 million was made available to extend terrestrial mobile phone coverage to priority locations that do not currently have coverage and for which there are no current plans to provide coverage. A list of 16 priority locations was developed, drawing on advice from the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee and in consultation with mobile phone carriers.On 3 July 2008, the Government released the guidelines for the Mobile Connect program, with applications due by 31 July. Despite extensive discussions with a number of mobile phone companies, and the availability of subsidies of up to 100 per cent of the capital costs, no applications were received.
This indicates that mobile phone carriers are at (or very close to) the limits of their commercial interest in further mobile phone coverage. This is particularly the case for locations with no accessible backhaul.
The Government will maintain a watching brief in case circumstances change. Given the prospects of success through a further funding round are currently low, there are no plans to conduct such a funding round in 2008-09.
The
Regional Telecommunications Independent Review (Glasson Review) has now completed its work and reported to the Minister. The Government will consider mobile coverage issues as part of its overall response to the Committees report. That response is due for tabling in Parliament by 5 March 2009.
- Document ID: 85540 |
- Last modified: 20 November 2008, 3:52pm