The Albanese Government is seeking views on a pathway to increase minimum legislated broadband speeds available across Australia through reforms to the Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) regime.
The SIP regime is set out in the Telecommunications Act 1997 and aims to ensure that all people in Australia can access broadband services at a minimum speed - currently set at a peak minimum download speed of at least 25 Mbps.
NBN Co Limited is the default SIP for Australia, however alternative providers can also become SIPs for the geographic areas in which they deploy telecommunications infrastructure.
Over time, Australia's broadband network capability has increased, with most SIP networks now or soon expected to support peak minimum download speeds of at least 100 Mbps. However, legislative arrangements have not kept pace with these developments.
Increasing Australia's regulated broadband speeds will bring Australia in line with international best practice, help to power the economy, and ensure fair and equitable access to services that better meet the needs of users in our increasingly digitally-driven society.
To achieve this, the Government is interested to hear feedback from SIPs on the current capability of their networks, status of upgrades underway or planned and sensible timing to increase legislated safeguards to 100 Mbps download speeds.
The Government would also like to hear from consumers as to whether they support an increase to minimum speed requirements and what benefits this could deliver.
Submissions can be made until 11:59pm Sunday 18 March 2025 at https://infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/broadband-speeds.
The proposed reforms respond to public feedback, including through the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review, on the importance of broadband to regional communities and the need for future universal service arrangements to ensure minimum legislated broadband speed requirements remain relevant to changing needs.
It is part of the Government's ongoing work to ensure all Australians have access to reliable and high quality connectivity, no matter where they live. An increase to the legislated minimum speeds is made possible through the Government's continued investments in faster and more reliable broadband by the NBN.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:
"The benefits of high-speed broadband for productivity and connectivity are undeniable, and we want to ensure all Australians have the opportunity to reap these rewards, no matter their postcode.
"The Statutory Infrastructure Provider regime plays an important role in this, but reform is needed to ensure legislation keeps pace with rapidly evolving technology and changing consumer needs.
"We want to hear from industry and consumers on the best pathway to ensuring higher broadband speeds of at least 100 Mbps are available to all Australians.
"This is another way the Albanese Government is building a more connected Australia."
