Local governments on urban fringes, where the bush meets the suburbs, can benefit from $20 million in Commonwealth funding to help upgrade mobile phone coverage under round 2 of the Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP).
Eligible areas under the latest funding round have been expanded to include major regional cities like Geelong, the Gold Coast and Newcastle, and the peri-urban edges of major capital cities, which are often prone to bushfires.
The PUMP provides funding to Mobile Network Operators (MNO) and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers to deliver new or upgraded mobile phone infrastructure. Telcos, communities and other interested parties are encouraged to work together to submit applications.
Applications close on 1 April 2024 and more information is available here.