Mobile Black Spot Program

The Mobile Black Spot Program (the MBSP) is an Australian Government initiative that invests in telecommunications infrastructure to improve mobile coverage and competition across Australia.

Under the MBSP to date (Rounds 1 to 7), the Government's commitment has generated a total investment of more than $1 billion, to deliver up to 1,400 new mobile base stations across Australia.

Rounds 1 to 7 have been supported by co-contributions from a range of third parties including state and local governments, and telecommunications industry grantees that are national Mobile Network Operators (Optus, Telstra, TPG Telecom Ltd (formerly Vodafone), and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers (Field Solutions Group and OneWiFi).

Funding for new rounds of the MBSP was provided in the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, through the 2022–23 Budget. For more information about the MBSP, see the Mobile Black Spot Program's FAQs page.

Round 8

Round 8 of the MBSP opened for applications on 17 December 2024. 

Applications for funding under Round 8 are open to Mobile Network Operators and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with state, territory and local governments, and local communities on proposed solutions, including referring to the Round 8 Project Noticeboard (see below).

The Grant Opportunity Guidelines and application process are available on the Government’s GrantConnect website under the Grant Opportunity title Round 8 of the Mobile Black Spot Program.

Applications must be lodged by Wednesday 30 April 2025.

The Government is providing up to $55 million (GST exclusive) for Round 8, which will co-fund projects to provide new resilient mobile coverage in regional and remote areas of Australia that are prone to Natural Disasters, including bushfires, cyclones and floods.

The focus on areas impacted by, or at risk of, Natural Disasters reflects the increasing exposure of many regions to these events, and the need for communities to access resilient mobile communications services during and after these events. Eligible Areas can be viewed on the MBSP Round 8 - Eligibility Map  and the National Map.

This Round is funded under the Government's Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.

Project Noticeboard

A Project Noticeboard for Round 8 is available for local governments and state, territory and federal parliamentarians to identify potential projects or locations which would benefit from new and improved mobile coverage.

Industry applicants are encouraged to consider the proposed projects and locations on the Project Noticeboard when developing their applications.

It is important to note that posting a submission on the Project Noticeboard does not guarantee that an application for funding for a project, or a project in the nominated location, will be submitted, or that funding will be allocated to the proposed project or location. However, it can help communities advise the industry of risks in regional and remote Australia, and demonstrate support for new proposals.

The Round 8 Project Noticeboard will close on 7 February 2025, allowing industry applicants time to consider advice provided through the Noticeboard and to engage with other applicants on the development of proposals.

Improving Mobile Coverage Round

Stage 2

Stage 2 of the Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR) of the MBSP closed for applications on 25 September 2024. Up to $3.047 million (GST inclusive) is available under Stage 2 to fund solutions to implement the Government's commitments to improve mobile coverage and quality of service at the two Target Locations of Majors Creek, NSW, and Mangrove Mountain, NSW.

Applications are being assessed against the published Grant Opportunity Guidelines, which are available on GrantConnect.

Stage 1

On 19 October 2023, the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, announced grants totalling $37.2 million (GST exclusive) to deliver improved mobile coverage and quality of service to 42 Target Locations through the IMCR. An additional four Target Locations are expected to receive improved mobile coverage from existing projects under other regional communications grant programs and commercial investment.

Stage 1 of the IMCR was audited by the Australian National Audit Office during 2023-24 and the department was found to be largely effective in the design and award of funding.

Round 7

On 11 December 2023, the Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, announced the outcomes of the combined grant opportunity for Round 7 of the MBSP and Round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).

$55 million (GST inclusive) was awarded under Round 7 to deliver 62 new mobile solutions across regional and remote Australia. Of this, $13.6 million was awarded for 19 projects in First Nations communities, supporting the Government's commitment to improving digital connectivity in First Nations communities.

This round is funded under the Government's Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.

MBSP rollout update—November 2024

The MBSP is delivering improved coverage outcomes and benefits to the Australian community with over 1,156 base stations activated as at 30 November 2024.

Base stations funded under Rounds 1-5A are currently scheduled to be operational by early-mid 2025.

Information about the expected timing for individual base stations can be found on the websites of grantees: Field Solutions Group, OneWiFi, Optus, Telstra and TPG Telecom Ltd (formerly Vodafone).

Base station delays

Due to a range of external factors outside of the direct control of the grantees, some base stations have experienced delays and require additional time in order to be delivered.

Additional information on delays can be found on the Mobile Black Spot Program's FAQs page.

Base stations that are no longer required or cannot be built

Under the MBSP there are a small number of planned base stations that cannot be built at the original scheduled location. In these cases, the mobile network operator will explore all options to deliver new and improved coverage to the original planned area including investigating alternative sites.

Further information, including a list of base stations that will no longer be built under the MBSP, is available on the Mobile Black Spot Program's FAQs page.

Contacts

Email: mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au

Mobile Black Spot Program
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601

Additional information and resources

Round 1

Round 2

Priority Locations Round (Round 3)

Round 4

Round 5

Round 5A

Improving Mobile Coverage Round Stage 1

Improving Mobile Coverage Round Stage 2

Round 7

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