Government boosts bush broadband subsidy for ISPs

Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 02 July 2008 07:42

Business IT - Networking

The maximum subsidy of up to $6000 applies "in exceptional circumstances" to "an area other than a Metropolitan Area with identified difficult and costly installation requirements (for example, infrastructure suitable to withstand cyclone conditions)."

No particular technology is mandated for subsidies under this part of the scheme.

More generally, the subsidy is $1000 for fixed-line services, $2000 for terrestrial wireless services in metropolitan broadband blackspots, or $2500 for terrestrial wireless in non-metro areas or for satellite services.

The new program begins on August 4, 2008. The government has allocated $85.8 million for the 2008-09 financial year, and participating ISPs will be notified as the funding pot runs down.

Since only $270.7 million has been allocated over the next four years it might be worth getting in sooner rather than later - unless you think the proposed National Broadband Network will be up and running before the guarantee money runs out.