23 August 2012: The Federal Government has released their response to the 2011–12 Regional Telecommunications Review. The Regional Communications: Empowering Digital Communities report was tabled in Parliament on 23 May 2012 and the Government has already started implementing its recommendations, including:
- Allowing remote schools and health facilities to access the NBN Co Interim Satellite Service
- Releasing the NBN Co Network Extension policy on 12 July 2012
- Continuing the provision of untimed local calls in the Extended Zones (remote areas of Australia) for 2012–13, in line with the Sinclair Review’s recommendation
- Providing funding to relevant Regional Development Australia committees to help develop digital economy strategies for the rollout of the NBN in regional communities.
You can read more about the Regional Communications: Empowering Digital Communities report at http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2012/133