Draft guidelines released for Peri Urban Mobile Program

NEW guidelines on a program aiming to improve mobile coverage in the peri-urban areas of Geelong and elsewhere are open for public comment.

Peri-urban fringes create significant challenges for communications infrastructure and natural disaster risks for those living and working in those communities.

These areas are generally underserved with infrastructure such as mobile phone towers because of the high cost, difficult terrain, planning challenges including in national parks, and lower population densities.

The federal Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP) targets longstanding mobile coverage and connectivity issues for affected peri-urban communities by co-investing with mobile network operators on local projects.

The Albanese Government has expanded eligibility for PUMP for the $20 million second round to several more major cities and regional centres, including in the Geelong region.

Under the new boundaries, the peri-urban fringe locally includes the entire Bellarine Peninsula, almost all of the City of Greater Geelong except for the Geelong CBD and port (including Point Henry), and a large part of the Surf Coast including areas around Torquay and Winchelsea.

“I’m proud to belong to an Albanese Government that takes connectivity in areas like ours so seriously,” Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker said.

“Poor mobile coverage is something locals consistently raise when I’m out in our community

“I strongly encourage locals to have a look at the draft guidelines and have their say to ensure the next round of the PUMP delivers the investment our community needs.”

PUMP complements the Mobile Black Spot Program, providing grant funding to mobile network operators and infrastructure providers to deploy new mobile phone infrastructure to address mobile reception and coverage issues in peri-urban areas.

Under the first round of PUMP, Optus, Telstra and TPG received $28.2 million to deliver 66 4G and 5G mobile coverage solutions at 50 locations on the peri-urban fringe of Australia’s major cities.

For the second round, a project noticeboard has been established to help local councils and community groups identify mobile coverage and reception in the peri-urban fringe, and form partnerships with the telecommunications sector to develop applications for funding.

Local councils and community groups are invited to upload their project proposals to the noticeboard until applications for the second round close.

“Our government is expanding the eligibility of this next round of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program to cover more communities previously excluded from the program to ensure they get the investment they need to stay connected,” Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland said.

To view the draft grant opportunity guidelines or to make a submission, head to infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say

For more information on the PUMP, head to infrastructure.gov.au/pump