The Albanese and the Minns Labor Governments have today announced up to $48 million in joint funding to deliver better mobile coverage along highways and major roads for Australians who live, work or holiday in regional and remote NSW.
The NSW Government is contributing up to $38 million through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The Albanese Government's national $50 million Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program (RRAMP) will contribute $9 million towards projects partnering with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and a further $1 million to the NSW Telco Authority.
The work being undertaken is designed to test practical solutions and includes projects like addressing coverage gaps on key transport corridors by investing in new infrastructure such as small cell sites, macro cell towers and 'cell on wheels' solutions.
The funding will:
- Provide coverage in remote roadside rest areas
- Provide new mobile connectivity along roads linking First Nations communities to their closest town to access essential services
- Improve blackspot coverage on significant transport corridors
- Provide continuous coverage along key tourist routes.
Once delivered, the work is expected to improve safety on our roads, strengthen economic growth, improve social connectivity, and support regional development.
The program will test new or innovative solutions to improve connectivity and will strongly encourage multi-carrier solutions including operators using the same mobile towers to avoid duplication of infrastructure.
This initiative follows the inaugural Regional Connectivity Ministers Roundtable in August 2023, where states and territories agreed to partner with the Government to deliver improved mobile coverage across regional Australia.
The NSW Government is now seeking Expressions of Interest from industry partners to deliver these initiatives.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"The Albanese Government is narrowing the digital divide in rural and regional Australia.
"This important pilot program is just another way we're delivering significant connectivity and safety improvements for communities across New South Wales and nationally as the remainder of the program is rolled out.
'The NSW Government's pilot program will work with industry to identify and test innovative and new technical solutions which, if proven, have the potential to be delivered more broadly.
"The RRAMP pilot programs are being delivered under the Albanese Government's $1.1 billion Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, which is funding initiatives to improve connectivity for regional and rural communities right across Australia."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional NSW, The Hon Tara Moriarty MLC
"The NSW Government is committed to improving mobile coverage along our highways so residents commuting to work, traveling to town for groceries, or even those passing through on holiday have reliable service.
"We are focused on closing the digital divide in some of the state's most notorious highway black spots, improving safety for road users and ensuring they can easily navigate and stay connected with family and friends while on the move.
"I thank the Commonwealth Government for their support in enhancing connectivity across regional NSW."
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Emergency Services, The Hon Jihad Dib MP
"Mobile coverage blackspots along our highways can be incredibly frustrating and potentially life-threatening for people living and working in or travelling through rural and remote communities.
"The NSW Government is working with industry to explore, test and deliver, new and improved mobile coverage solutions that address the unique challenges faced by remote communities to help ensure residents and travellers can stay connected.
"Connectivity can be the key to changing lives for the better and the rollout will also be a game-changer for remote First Nations communities, boosting digital inclusion and delivering more reliable connectivity and access to essential services."
