Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO6185

Up to $160 million (GST exclusive) is available for this combined Round, comprising two streams:

• A $110 million (GST exclusive) Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream for place-based solutions that deliver new or upgraded broadband services and/or upgraded mobile services; and
• A $50 million Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream to deliver New Handheld Coverage to regional, rural and First Nations Australia.

The grant opportunity will be administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA).

Funding includes $32.5 million (GST exclusive) dedicated to improving telecommunications services in First Nations communities, comprising:

• $15 million (GST exclusive) under the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) Stream for solutions that improve telecommunications infrastructure in First Nations communities in eligible areas across Australia and $10 million for solutions aimed at improving digital connectivity for First Nations communities in Central Australia; and
• $7.5 million (GST exclusive) under the Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) Stream for solutions that provide new mobile coverage in First Nations communities.

In this combined Round, infrastructure funded under the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream must provide retail mobile or broadband services to a regional, rural or First Nations community or a subset of the community (such as local businesses, tourist locations, schools etc.) for an operational period of 7 years. Infrastructure funded under the Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream must deliver New Handheld Coverage to regional, rural and First Nations communities for an operational period of 10 years.

To assist collaboration between local communities, the telecommunications industry, governments and other organisations, the Government has launched an online project noticeboard which will enable interested parties to foster links and work together on proposals for funding.

For applicants applying for the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream, you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

And must be one of the following entity types, a:

• licensed telecommunications carrier under the Telecommunications Act 1997; or
• owner or intended owner of the Proposed Solution infrastructure who holds or intends to hold a Nominated Carrier Declaration (NCD) under the Telecommunications Act 1997 in relation to the infrastructure to be built or improved/upgraded; or

For a joint (consortia) application:

• At least one organisation must be a licensed telecommunications carrier or infrastructure owner who holds/intends to hold a NCD in relation to the infrastructure to be built or improved/upgraded. The licensed carrier or infrastructure owner (in the case a NCD applies) must be the entity that enters into a Grant Agreement with the Commonwealth. However, such an application may be led by any of the following entity types:
  • Licensed carriers or infrastructure owner (in the case a NCD applies)
  • State and territory governments
  • Local government, local governing bodies, and regional development bodies
  • Industry, business, and community groups
  • Not-for-profits; or
  • First Nations community-controlled organisations.

For applicants applying for Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream, you must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be one of the following entity types:
  • a National Mobile Network Operator (MNO); or
  • a Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP).

All Funded Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream Solutions must provide retail services for a minimum period of seven [7] years after all Asset(s) has (have) become operational. All Funded Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream Solutions must provide retail services for a minimum period of ten (10) years after all Asset(s) has (have) become operational

$160,000,000.00

Options for lodgement include GovTeams, email, mail and/or hand-delivery. Further details on each option are available at section 7.4 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.

Applicants applying to the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream will be required to complete Appendix A – Regional Connectivity (Round 3) Application Pack, including the Regional Connectivity (Round 3) stream Proposed Solution Assessment Tool (PSAT). Applicants will also be required to provide documents in support of any claims against the merit criteria, as well as predictive maps of coverage outcomes from proposed infrastructure.

Applicants applying to the Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) stream must contact the Department to register as a potential applicant within six weeks from the release of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines.  Applicants must also develop and submit initial proposals for locations where they are interested in partnering with another Mobile Network Operator (MNO) on a site within six weeks from the release of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines. Applicants will then fill out Appendix B – Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) Stream Application Pack.