Carriers will be able to deliver better services to customers, with the Regional Broadband Scheme charges slashed.
The Scheme ensures transparent and sustainable funding for essential fixed wireless and satellite broadband services delivered by NBN Co in rural, regional and remote Australia by charging fixed-line broadband networks a monthly charge for each service they provide.
Under legislation, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) must provide advice to the Minister for Communications about the monthly charge amount under the Scheme every 5 years.
In line with the ACCC's advice, the Minister will reduce the amount to $2.17 per chargeable premises -- for 5 years from 2025-26. It will continue to be CPI-indexed annually.
Separately, the Minister has issued a Government Policy Project Notice in relation to NBN Co's work upgrading about 622,000 premises which remain on the ageing copper network.
The Minister's decision recognises the upgrades - which the Government is supporting through an equity injection of up to $3 billion - will benefit consumers, particularly in regional areas, by providing faster and more reliable broadband.
The Project Notice will not affect NBN Co's pricing in the next few years and will also minimise future pricing impacts in the longer term by capping the costs that NBN Co can pass on.
The instrument setting the Regional Broadband Scheme charge
