Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO721

The Mobile Black Spot Program is the Australian Government’s initiative to extend and improve mobile phone coverage and competition, particularly in regional and remote areas of Australia.

The Government has allocated $60 million (GST exclusive) to deliver the Priority Locations round of the Program.

To be eligible for funding under the Mobile Black Spot Program, an applicant must be a national Mobile Network Operator or a Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider.

A Mobile Network Operator (MNO) means a company, other than a Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider, that supplies a public mobile telecommunications service within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1997; and holds an apparatus or a spectrum licence (or both) for the supply of public mobile telecommunications services under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

A Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP) means a company, other than a MNO, that provides communications infrastructure in Australia or overseas, including the installation and operation of infrastructure to be used by one or more MNOs to provide public mobile telecommunications services. MNIP applications must be accompanied by evidence of a commercially binding commitment from at least one MNO to use the infrastructure to deliver mobile services as described at section 5 of these Guidelines for at least 10 years.

Stage 1 - Release of Guidelines and call for applications commences on 22 November 2017.

Stage 2 - Potential applicants need to register their interest by 29 November 2017, in accordance with section 13.2 of the Guidelines.

Stage 3 - Pre-application documentation is due by 1 December 2017.

Stage 4 - Applications are due by 20 December 2017.

Stage 5 – Applications assessed between December 2017 and January 2018.

Stage 6 - Grant agreement negotiations will occur between November 2017 and January 2018.

Stage 7 – Grantees advised of outcomes January 2018.

Stage 8 – Grantees and locations announced January 2018.

Stage 9 - Grantees will notify other mobile network operators of the ability to negotiate        co-location arrangements from January 2018.

Stage 10 - Rollout completion is expected by 31 December 2018.

$66,000,000.00

Potential applicants must register their interest with the Department (see section 13.2 of the Guidelines) and sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before access to the Program documentation at Part G of the Guidelines is given.

Potential applicants who intend to apply must first submit their existing coverage information, incorporating the coverage from base stations funded under rounds 1 & 2 (where relevant) by 5pm (Canberra time), Friday 1 December 2017.

Coverage information and applications can be lodged on Govdex, the Australian Government's secure online document sharing system. The Department may also accept applications via hard copy and/or physical electronic media, delivered via registered post or by hand before the closing date to the Director, Mobile Black Spot Program (Priority Locations), Department of Communications and the Arts, 2 Phillip Law Street, CANBERRA ACT 2601.

See section 8.3 of the Guidelines for application details, including details on access to Govdex.

Grantees will be required to make a substantial financial (cash) co-contribution to the capital costs of building each Funded Solution.

To increase the reach of the Program, applicants are encouraged to seek financial                        co-contributions from State, Territory or local governments, local communities and/or other third parties.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with State, Territory and local governments, and local communities regarding the Priority Locations for which they intend to build Proposed Solutions.