Big proposals sought for Broadband Connect funding

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 08 June 2006 17:21

IT Policy - Regulation

Communications minister, senator Helen Coonan, has issued a call for expressions of interest for 'larger scale' infrastructure projects under the Government's $878 million Broadband Connect program.
The Government intends to allocate funds to a small number of large scale infrastructure projects through a competitive grants process.

"There is a unique opportunity to use a substantial proportion of these funds to leverage private investment in Australia's regional broadband networks and improve access to broadband services across the country," Coonan said. "This is about building on our investment in rural, regional and remote Australia to rollout sustainable and scalable networks to connect the country.

"Industry collaboration, consortiums and partnerships that can support such large scale projects would certainly be encouraged but are not mandatory. The EOI process will allow interested parties to put forward other ideas, plans and possible project proposals to help inform the final design of any funding approach."

She added: "It is highly desirable for projects funded under Broadband Connect to link, where appropriate, to the other elements of the Australian Government's $1.1 billion Connect Australia package—which also includes Mobile Connect, Clever Networks and Backing Indigenous Ability."

The request for EOI is available at www.dcita.gov.au/tel/broadband_connect. The closing date is 5.00pm AEST on 14 July.