How the budget could impact telecoms in regional Queensland

The federal budget could mean some changes to telecommunications in regional parts of Queensland, while a major telecom provider is preparing to shut down one of their networks.

While telecommunications in everyday life are ubiquitous, the everyday person’s understanding of how they work is generally minimal.

No one can be expected to be across the ins and outs of how the internet works, but when things go wrong or change, it can cause confusion and frustration.

In the May 2024 budget, the Australian government announced some changes which will impact telecommunications use in South West Queensland, while a major telecommunications provider is shutting down a part of their network.

Through the Mobile Network Hardening Program, the federal government committed $14.2m to six projects across South West Queensland, which are designed to upgrade existing infrastructure.

The projects include an upgrade to a permanent generator in Roma and upgrades to the Yuleba and Injune exchanges.

Federal member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, said the upgrade will help close the digital divide between those living in regional communities and those in more metropolitan areas.

Federal member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, said he is committed to closing the digital divide between regional Australia and metropolitan areas.

“These upgrades will go a long way to improving connectivity for regional Australians and I am delighted to have helped secure the funds needed for these vital upgrades,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The fact we live in regional Australia doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have access to the same level of connectivity as our city cousins.

“I welcome these funds and am committed to ensuring our Maranoa electorate continues to get its fair share.”

However, the allocation of this funding occurred in the same budget that could mean the Mobile Black Spot Program ends in 2027.

The Mobile Black Spot Program was designed to build new telecommunications infrastructure in remote locations, to patch black spots in the network.

Mr Littleproud said the Labor government’s budget would mean that funding for the program would stop in 2026/27, which would have serious ramifications for people living in remote areas of South West Queensland.

“Mobile phone coverage is not a given in many parts of rural, regional, and remote Australia, and having mobile service can mean the difference between life and death,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The Mobile Blackspot program sought to address this issue, but this Labor government has callously thrown this lifesaving initiative on the scrap heap.

“This decision is just further proof that this Labor government doesn’t give a toss about regional Australia.”

However, communications minister, Michelle Rowland, said the program is continuing, with the funding now simply rolled into the Better Connectivity Plan.

“The Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) is an important program that continues to support regional, remote, and First Nations communities through co-funding new and improved mobile connectivity,” Ms Rowland said.

“The program has not been cut, and we are delivering funding to the program through our $1.1bn Better Connectivity Plan.

“The government has already delivered a number of program rounds through this Better Connectivity Plan funding; including round 7 of the MBSP, round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program, the Telecommunications Disaster Resilience Innovation Program, round 1 of the On Farm Connectivity Program, the Broadcasting Resilience Program, an extension to the Regional Tech Hub services, and the National Audit of Mobile Coverage.

“Further funding is available in the Better Connectivity Plan for new rounds of the MBSP – including round 8. The government expects to open this round later this year.

“In addition, the government has established the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review to examine the adequacy of regional Australia’s telecommunications, including hearing from people in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia.

“The government has also been consulting publicly over the past six months on modernising the universal services arrangements. While this work is ongoing, the government continues to deliver on its commitments through the Better Connectivity Plan – including further rounds of the MBSP.”

All the while, Telstra is preparing to switch off its 3G network on August 31.

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Originally published as How the budget could impact telecoms in regional Queensland