Telecommunications: Ongoing initiatives
Australian Broadband Guarantee
The Australian Government announced the $162.6 million Australian Broadband Guarantee on 7 March 2007. The ABG complements the $600 million Broadband Connect Infrastructure Programme and provides incentive payments to eligible broadband service providers who are able to offer a metro-comparable service to Australians who cannot otherwise receive such a service.
Broadband Connect Infrastructure Programme
On 21 September 2006, the Australian Government announced the $600 million Broadband Connect Infrastructure Programme with applications closing on 18 December 2006. This is a part of the Broadband Connect programme. The programme will fund major infrastructure projects in regional Australia to ensure equitable access to high quality, scalable and sustainable broadband services.
Clever Networks
The $113.4 million Clever Networks programme is part of the $1.1 billion Connect Australia package and is intended to support the improved delivery of broadband enabled health, education, government, community and emergency sector services in regional, rural and remote Australia. The programme includes an Innovative Services Delivery element to co-fund projects that utilise broadband to support improved services in the range of priority sectors. The programme also includes a Broadband Development element to co-fund Project Managers (for each state/territory) and Project Officers (for specific projects), to help improve broadband skills and capabilities, enhance business practices and aggregate demand in under served communities.
The Broadband Blueprint
Released in December 2006, the Broadband Blueprint outlines the Australian Government's vision for the future provision of broadband services across Australia in a strategic and coordinated manner. Implementation of the Blueprint will be coordinated by the National Broadband Development Group comprising representatives of all three levels of government and industry.
Coordinated Communications Infrastructure Fund
The Coordinated Communications Infrastructure Fund is providing $23.7 million over four years from 2003-04 to fund broadband infrastructure projects in regional, rural and remote areas. This infrastructure will support improvements in the delivery of health, education, government and other services that will lead to significant economic and social outcomes. Projections indicate the remaining $5.3 million will be allocated in 2007-08.