$162.5 MILLION BROADBAND GUARANTEE

Households and small businesses in rural and regional Australia unable to get a reasonable level of broadband Internet will now be able to access affordable broadband services regardless of where they live, after the Federal Coalition Government pledged a further $162.5 million to address any remaining broadband blackspots, NSW Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said. Senator Nash said under the $162.5 million Australian Broadband Guarantee, subsidised universal broadband will be available for all Australians who currently do not have broadband services due to technical or geographical reasons. “Broadband is fast becoming an essential service for households and businesses, particularly in rural and regional areas where advances in technology are improving access to vital information in the health, education and business sectors,” Senator Nash said. Senator Nash said the Guarantee builds on the success of the Federal Coalition Government’s $878 million Broadband Connect program and the $50 million Metro Broadband Connect program. “The Australian Broadband Guarantee will be similar to the highly successful Broadband Connect program and will continue to give eligible consumers subsidised, price capped broadband with a guaranteed minimum level of service, but with the benefit of simpler eligibility requirements. “Programs offered by the Federal Coalition Government have already helped more than one million households and small businesses access broadband Internet, and today’s announcement makes Australia one of the few countries worldwide to ensure an affordable broadband service to all households and small businesses.” The first phase of the Guarantee will run until June 2008 when the funds from the Federal Coalition Government’s $2 billion Communications Fund will come on stream. This will enable the Federal Government to continue the Australian Broadband Guarantee for as long necessary to ensure all Australians have access to broadband regardless of where they live. The Guarantee is part of the transition to the $600 million Broadband Connect Infrastructure Program which will establish an efficient, sustainable broadband infrastructure base across regional Australia to enable the roll-out of higher speed broadband. Media contact: Julie Siegert 0429 818 600

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