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Internet Service Provider (ISP) Filtering 'Live' Pilot

In May 2008 the Australian Government committed $125.8 million over four years to support a comprehensive range of cyber-safety measures, including law enforcement, education and an informed and considered approach to ISP level filtering.

The Government intends to take an evidence-based approach to content filtering at the ISP level and is committed to working closely with industry to address any concerns, including costs and impacts on internet speeds.

These concerns will be carefully considered during a 'live' pilot of ISP filtering which is testing a range of content filtering solutions in a real world environment, with the cooperation of providers of internet services such as ISPs and their customers. The outcomes of the pilot will inform the Government's decision making on the ISP filtering framework.

The participation of industry is crucial to providing evidence on the real world impacts of ISP content filtering, including on ISPs and their customers.

In November 2008, the Pilot 'Request for Expression of Interest' was released, calling for ISPs to submit applications to participate in the Pilot on a funded basis by 8 December 2008.

On 11 February 2009, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced the first phase of the pilot would begin with an initial six ISPs. See more details in the Minister's media release: Pilot to assess technical feasibility of ISP filtering.

Applications

Although the closing date for applications from ISPs to participate on a funded basis has now passed, the Department will consider applications from ISPs seeking to participate in the Pilot on an unfunded basis. The Department cannot guarantee that such applications will be accepted.

ISPs wishing to participate on an unfunded basis are encouraged to read the Expression of Interest documents fully before completing an application. The following documents can be downloaded directly from this page.

Enquiries

Following the release of the Pilot 'Request for Expression of Interest' in November 2008, a number of ISP companies interested in participating submitted specific questions regarding the Pilot.  A list of those questions (without identification) and responses is available on this website for general reference.

Further enquiries from ISP companies interested in participating in the Pilot on an unfunded basis can be emailed to ISPPilot@dbcde.gov.au

  • Document ID: 87718 |
  • Last modified: 12 February 2009, 6:14pm