Archived Grant Opportunity View - GO4881
Mobile Network Hardening Program – Stage 2
The Mobile Network Hardening Program (the Program) will increase the resilience of Australia’s mobile telecommunication networks to help prevent, mitigate and manage outages during bushfires and other natural disasters. The two-stage Program is providing grants to deploy upgrades to mobile telecommunications infrastructure.
Up to $5.5 million (GST exclusive) is available for Stage 2 of the Program, for resilience upgrades including longer lasting backup power, emergency power solutions for rapid service restoration, expanding protection zones around telecommunications sites, redundant backhaul, or other physical hardening measures.
The Program is part of the Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) Package, announced in January 2020.
To be eligible for funding under Stage 2, an applicant must be a Mobile Network Operator (MNO), Mobile Network Infrastructure Provider (MNIP) or a Network Management Provider (NMP).
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 written evidence of intent from at least one MNO to enter into a commercially binding commitment to use the infrastructure to deliver mobile services as described at section 4.1 of the Grant Guidelines for the Operational Period of the Proposed Solution. A grant may be awarded to eligible MNIPs on the condition that the MNIP and relevant MNO enter into a binding commercial commitment prior to the finalisation of the Grant Agreement.
A NMP means a company that is contracted by a MNO to assist with the management and maintenance of its network. NMP applications must be accompanied by written support from the MNO for the proposed Resilience Upgrade.
Stage 1 - Release of the Guidelines and call for applications commences - 17 June 2021
Stage 2 - Applications are due - 26 August 2021
Stage 3 -Assessment of applications will be undertaken - August 2021 – October 2021
Stage 4 - Grant agreement negotiations will be undertaken - October 2021 – November 2021
Stage 5 - Grantees advised of outcomes and funding agreements finalised - November 2021
Stage 6 - Grantees and locations announced - November 2021
Stage 7 - Roll out of upgrades completed - 30 June 2022
$5,500,000.00
Applications must be submitted by 5pm AEST 26 August 2021.
Applications must be lodged in accordance with Section 7 of the Grant Opportunity Guidelines (the Guidelines).
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 upgrades.