ARN

Bush broadband worth $6000 to ISPs

Govt coffers open up for Australian Broadband Guarantee.

Internet service providers will receive up to $6000 per customer to supply broadband to the bush, after the government poured an extra $4000 into subsidies available under the Australian Broadband Guarantee (ABG).

The increase is part of a series of changes to the incentive designed to get broadband access out to areas of remote Australia not served by the National Broadband Network (NBN).

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said the guidelines will give regional and remote Australians more protection in ISP delivery.

"Consumers will benefit through the implementation of standard contract clauses, new requirements for repair and maintenance and a requirement to either shape excess data or charge no more than five cents per megabyte beyond the data cap," Conroy said.

"These guidelines will provide certainty in the development of whole-of-region broadband solutions in the more remote regional areas that may not be reached by NBN."

Subsidies for ISPs have increased from about $2000 to $6000 for the supply of broadband to remote areas such as cyclone-prone regions and off-shore territories.

Remote users will now be guaranteed "added value" services at a minimum of 1024Kbps/256Kbps with a 5GB download limit, free shaping and the right to swap ABG services in the event of downed connections.

The $270.7 million program will come into effect on August 4 this year.

Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
Users posting comments agree to the ARN comments policy.
Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.
Related Whitepapers
Latest Stories
Community Comments
rhs_login_lockGet exclusive access to ARN's news, research and invitation only events.
ARN Distributor Directory
Find distributors by name | vendor | location
Channel Deals
/deals/avg/213_avg-internet-security-3-pc-2-year-10-pack-reta
AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltd

AVG Internet Security 2012 10 Pack Retail Specials

More details »
ARN Vendor Directory
Find vendors by name | category

iAsset is a channel management ecosystem that automates all major aspects of the entire sales,marketing and service process, including data tracking, integrated learning, knowledge management and product lifecycle management.