Mobile Network Hardening Program Round 2 – Draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines

Through the October 2022 Federal Budget, the Australian Government committed $100 million (GST exclusive) to improving communications resilience, including funding for further rounds of the Mobile Network Hardening Program, to reduce the risks of service outages and improve restoration times during natural disasters.

Round 2 of the Program has up to $15 million (GST exclusive) of funding available and its key objectives is to co-fund Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers (MNIPs), or Network Management Providers (NMPs), which are contracted by an MNO, to assist not only with managing and maintaining its network, but also to upgrade mobile network telecommunications infrastructure (Resilience Upgrade) to:

• help prevent outages in the event of a Natural Disaster
• strengthen the resilience of telecommunications facilities to allow them to operate for longer during bushfires and other Natural Disasters and
• enable the rapid restoration of services following an outage.

The deadline to share any feedback regarding Draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines is by 5 pm AEST Tuesday 30 May 2023.

Relevant documentation

• Mobile Network Hardening Program Round 2 Draft Grant Opportunity Guidelines

The Guidelines for Round 2 of the Mobile Network Hardening Program include relevant information concerning:

• What funding is available?
• Who is eligible to apply for funding?
• How the funding will be allocated under the Program?
• How to apply for funding?
• How grant applications are considered and selected?
• How Grantees are notified and receive grant payments?
• How Grantees will be monitored and evaluated?
• What are the responsibilities and expectations in relation to the opportunity?