Australia's Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications has announced that regional communities are set to benefit from improved connectivity, with the announcement of 81 telecommunications infrastructure projects will share in more than $90 million in funding under the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).

The Regional Connectivity Program (the RCP) is providing $90.3 million (GST inclusive) in Commonwealth funding for 81 'place-based' telecommunications infrastructure projects across regional, rural and remote Australia.

We're told Australian Government's commitment "will leverage over $90 million in additional funding from state, territory and local governments, telecommunications providers, regional communities and regional businesses."

The Australian Government states having taken "a collaborative approach in delivering the RCP and has engaged with the telecommunications industry and regional communities to make sure that the funded projects are tailored to the needs of each region and are supported by the community.

"This approach has resulted in an opportunity to create real change in the bush.

"The investment will provide targeted uplifts to connectivity in the regional areas which need it the most, ensuring that more Australians can access high-speed, reliable broadband and mobile services.

"Grants have been allocated on a competitive basis across three funding categories, with the total cost of successful projects ranging from $80,500 for targeted mobile capacity upgrades in small towns to $8,750,000 for the deployment of large-scale fixed wireless broadband networks across entire regions."

More information on the Program, as well the upcoming list of funded projects is at the Rural Connectivity Program page.