The Mobile Black Spot Program (the MBSP) is an Australian Government initiative that invests in telecommunications infrastructure to improve mobile coverage and competition across Australia.
Under the MBSP to date (Rounds 1 to 8), the government's commitment has generated a total investment of more than $1 billion to deliver up to 1,417 new mobile base stations across Australia.
Rounds 1 to 8 have been supported by co-contributions from a range of third parties, including state and local governments, and telecommunications industry grantees that are national Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers (MNIPs).
Funding for new rounds of the MBSP was provided in the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia, through the 2022–23 Budget. For more information about the MBSP, see the Mobile Black Spot Program's FAQs page.
Mapping tool
Our interactive mapping tool lets you search for projects funded under the MBSP in your area.
Information on the map is updated quarterly and as the program reaches major milestones, such as new funding outcomes.
Round 8
The Hon Anika Wells MP, Minister for Communications and Minister for Sport, has awarded funding of $21.1 million (GST inclusive) for the MBSP Round 8. Grant funding is being provided for 17 projects to deliver new resilient mobile coverage in regional and remote areas of Australia that are prone to natural disasters, including bushfires, severe storms and floods.
Industry applicants and third parties are investing more than $18.5 million (GST inclusive) in the funded mobile base stations.
The focus on areas impacted by, or at risk of, natural disasters reflects the increasing exposure of many regions to these events, and the need for communities to access resilient mobile communications services during and after these events.
This Round is funded under the government's Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
Improving Mobile Coverage Round
Grants totalling $42.5 million (GST inclusive) have been awarded to improve mobile coverage and quality of service to 43 Target Locations across two stages of the Improving Mobile Coverage Round (IMCR).
Stage 1
On 19 October 2023, the former minister for communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, announced grants totalling $41 million (GST inclusive) to deliver improved mobile coverage and quality of service to 42 Target Locations.
Stage 1 of the IMCR was audited by the Australian National Audit Office during 2023–24 and the department was found to be largely effective in the design and award of funding.
Stage 2
Under Stage 2, one Target Location at Mangrove Mountain, NSW, will receive funding to address identified mobile coverage and quality of service issues at this location.
Round 7
On 11 December 2023, the former minister for communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, announced the outcomes of the combined grant opportunity for Round 7 of the MBSP and Round 3 of the Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
$55 million (GST inclusive) was awarded under Round 7 to deliver 62 new mobile solutions across regional and remote Australia. Of this, $13.6 million was awarded to 19 projects in First Nations communities, supporting the government's commitment to improving digital connectivity in First Nations communities.
This round is funded under the government's Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
MBSP rollout update—February 2026
The MBSP is delivering improved coverage outcomes and benefits to the Australian community with over 1,188 base stations activated as at 30 November 2025.
Base stations funded under Round 1 and Round 3 (the Priority Locations Round) are complete and operational. Base stations funded under Rounds 2, 4, 5 and 5A are currently scheduled to be operational by mid 2026. Base stations funded under Round 6 (the Improving Mobile Coverage Round) and Round 7 are currently scheduled to be operational by late 2026 and mid-2027, respectively.
Information about the expected timing for individual base stations can be found on the websites of grantees: Field Solutions Group, Indara, OneWiFi, Optus, Telstra, TPG Telecom Ltd (formerly Vodafone) and Waveconn).
Base station delays
Due to a range of external factors outside of the direct control of the grantees, some base stations have experienced delays and require additional time in order to be delivered.
Additional information on delays can be found on the Mobile Black Spot Program's FAQs page.
Base stations that are no longer required or cannot be built
Under the MBSP there are a small number of planned base stations that cannot be built at the original scheduled location. In these cases, the mobile network operator will explore all options to deliver new and improved coverage to the original planned area including investigating alternative sites.
Further information, including a list of base stations that will no longer be built under the MBSP, is available on the Mobile Black Spot Program's FAQs page.
Contacts
Email: mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au
Mobile Black Spot Program
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601
Additional information and resources
Round 1
- Mobile Black Spot Program discussion paper
- Mobile Black Spot Program—Round 1 Grant Guidelines
- Round 1 funded base stations (499)—(XLSX 168KB)
Round 2
- Mobile Black Spot Program—Round 2 Grant Guidelines—version 1.1
- Round 2 funded base stations (266)—(XLSX151KB)
Priority Locations Round (Round 3)
- Mobile Black Spot Program—Priority Locations Grant Guidelines
- List of 125 priority locations and their outcomes
- Priority Locations Round funded base stations (102)—(XLSX 141KB)
Round 4
Round 5
Round 5A
Improving Mobile Coverage Round
- 54 Improving Mobile Coverage Round Target Locations
- Mobile Black Spot Program—IMCR Stage 1 Grant Guidelines
- Mobile Black Spot Program—IMCR Stage 2 Grant Guidelines
- IMCR Stage 1 & 2 funded Target Locations (43)
Round 7
- Regional Connectivity Program Round 3 (with Mobile Black Spot (Round 7) opportunities) Grant Guidelines—version 1.2
- Round 7 funded base stations (62)