Government issues call for regional broadband proposals

The government has called upon interested parties to come up with proposals to help it utilise the $23.7 million it has set aside for the Coordinated Communications Infrastructure Fund (CCIF) to improved broadband access in regional Australia.

The move comes just a few weeks after the New South Wales Government invited the private sector to come forward with ideas for public/private sector initiatives to improve broadband access in regional NSW.

Similarly, this latest move by the government, requires private investors with successful bids to at least match the financial contribution made by the government. The fund is an element of the National Broadband Strategy, created to address the slow take up of broadband in Australia, particularly outside the major population centres.

It is open to applications from partnerships such as health or education service providers; State, Territory and local governments; community groups; telecommunications carriers; service providers; and other companies.

Following the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry, the Australian Government committed $142.8 million to the action plan of the National Broadband Strategy.

The CCIF is one element of the National Broadband Strategy action plan, which has been developed by the National Broadband Strategy Implementation Group.

It will build on the Government's $50 million National Communications Fund, which supports significant communications projects in the education and health sectors in regional Australia.

CCIF documentation is available from the 'view tenders, current' section of the Austender website at http://www.tenders.gov.au. The closing date for expressions of interest is December 1st.

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