“These are the broadband highways that connect our cities, towns and rural areas to the wider world. In parts of Australia, particularly links connecting our rural and regional areas, competition is limited as there is only a single provider of these services,” said Conroy.

He named Geraldton, WA; Mt Gambier, SA; Broken Hill; Mildura; Mt Isa; and Darwin as single-provider areas but said this was only an “indicative list”
and stakeholders would have an opportunity to help identify and prioritise regional locations for investment.

He released a stakeholder consultation paper on the issues. Submissions are due by May 12 and tenders will be called soon after. The paper is available at www.dbcde.gov.au.