Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO1716

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

The Government has allocated up to $25 million (GST exclusive) to deliver Round 4 of the Program.

To be eligible for funding under Round 4 of the Program, an applicant must be a national Mobile Network Operator (MNO) or a Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP), that has signed a non-disclosure agreement and (where relevant) has supplied the required network information in accordance with the Grant Guidelines.

A 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 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 3.2 of these Guidelines for at least 10 years

Stage 1 – Release of the Guidelines and call for applications commences 15 October 2018.

Stage 2 – Potential applicants need to register their interest by 22 October 2018, in accordance with section 7, Stage 2 of the Guidelines.

Stage 3 – Pre-application documentation is due by 5 November 2018.

Stage 4 – Applications are due by 10 January 2019.

Stage 5 – Applications are assessed between January 2019 and February 2019.

Stage 6 – Grant agreement negotiations will occur from January 2019.

Stage 7 – Grantees advised of outcomes February 2019.

Stage 8 – Grantees and locations announced February 2019.

Stage 9 – Grantees will notify other mobile network operators of the ability to negotiate co-location arrangements from February 2019.

Stage 10 – Rollout completion is expected by 30 June 2020.

$27,500,000.00

Potential applicants must register interest with the Department (see Guidelines section 7, Stage 2) and sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement before gaining access to Appendix A, B and C of the Guidelines.

Potential applicants must first submit their existing 3G HSPA+and 4G coverage information, incorporating coverage from base stations funded under previous rounds of the Program (where relevant). This information must be submitted by 5pm AEDT, Mon 5 Nov 2018.

Applications must be submitted by 5pm AEDT, Thurs 10 Jan 2019.

Coverage information and applications can be lodged using Govdex, the Australian Government's secure document sharing system. Applications may also be accepted via hard copy and/or physical electronic media, delivered via registered post or by hand before the closing date to:

Director Mobile Blackspot Program (Round 4)
Department of Communications and the Arts
GPO Box 2154
CANBERRA  ACT 2601

See Guidelines section 7.3 for application details and 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 locations for which they intend to build Proposed Solutions. These consultations should include any specific areas identified within the location which would be considered desirable to be covered by the Proposed Solution e.g. specific roads, recreational areas, Public Interest Premises etc.