The Regional Digital Connectivity Program is delivering initiatives with telecommunications partners to expand mobile coverage and internet access for underserved communities and businesses.
The program will ensure families and businesses across regional NSW have access to better mobile, internet and digital services; creating connected, empowered and prosperous communities by leveraging technology and innovation.
The program recognises that many regional residents still face connectivity challenges, with long stretches of mobile black spots on major roads and some remote areas lacking reliable access to internet or mobile coverage.
Guided by the principle of investing in infrastructure that drives economic development and strengthens digital inclusion, the program delivers projects that connect some of the state’s most underserved and remote communities.
Our overarching objectives are:
- Deliver regional digital connectivity to boost wellbeing, inclusion, and economic growth
- Fund projects that create lasting digital outcomes in regional communities
- Incentivise competition to expand consumer choice
To hear more about how this program is benefitting NSW, watch the video.
Regional Digital Connectivity
Our projects
Mobile coverage
A multi-carrier approach
Through the Regional Digital Connectivity Program, the NSW Government has invested an initial $30 million to improve mobile coverage through our Active Sharing Partnership (ASP) program to enable greater multi-carrier outcomes across NSW.
Two active sharing mobile solutions are being deployed in Brewarrina and Wilcannia. In Brewarrina, the solution will deliver 105 square kilometres of 4G and 5G mobile coverage, covering over 600 residential premises and key facilities including the Brewarrina Airport.
In Wilcannia, the solution will deliver over 90 square kilometres of 4G and 5G mobile coverage for homes and businesses.
This provides multiple mobile operators the ability to deliver services from the one government-funded tower. Pioneered by OneWiFi with Pivotel this enables future mobile carriers to join the program through an innovative shared model known as active sharing or neutral hosting.
Improving mobile coverage for drivers in the Snowy Mountains
Improved mobile coverage is now available along the Snowy Mountains Highway, between Talbingo and Adaminaby, thanks to $1.3 million in joint funding from the NSW Government and Snowy Hydro Limited.
The Snowy Mountains Highway is a key route connecting the Monaro region, South-West Slopes and Kosciuszko National Park. Locals, tourists and workers commuting to the Snowy Hydro 2.0 use the highway daily.
Following the 2019-20 bushfires, a project was established to improve mobile coverage, and increased commuter safety, along the Snowy Mountains Highway between Talbingo and Adaminaby.
The Snowy Mountains Mobile Safety project is now complete and coverage has been delivered by Telstra in five small cell mobile towers at Alpine Creek, Connors Hill, Caves Road exit, Lobbs Hole Ravine and Tantangara Road.
Delivering improved mobile road coverage
The NSW Government is co-investing in a $48 million Australian Government program to address coverage gaps on key transport corridors in regional NSW as part of the Australian Government’s national Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program (RRAMP).
RRAMP will deliver new shared infrastructure such as small cell sites, macro cell towers and ‘cell on wheels’ solutions.
The program will deliver new solutions to improve connectivity and strongly encourages multi-carrier solutions including operators using the same mobile towers to avoid duplication of infrastructure.
Reducing our Mobile Black Spots
The NSW Government, often in partnership with the Australian Government, is investing in a range of Mobile Black Spot Programs to improve mobile reception in regional areas by delivering additional towers to fill coverage gaps. The work will strengthen economic growth, improve social connectivity, and support regional development.
Over 170 towers have already been built to reduce mobile black spots in regional and remote areas of NSW through the Mobile Black Spot Rounds 1/2/5A and the NSW Round.
Currently, a number of sites under Round 7 of the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP7) are in detailed design.
Internet connectivity
Supporting our farming communities with fixed wireless internet
In Burcher, Burra, Eumungerie, Glen Davis, Talbingo and Urila, telecommunications provider, YLess4U is delivering high speed fixed wireless broadband to premises providing local farmers and their families with fast and reliable internet.
In Kikiamah, Pullabooka, Caragabal, Quandialla, Bimbi and Wirrinya, Connected Farms has been contracted to deliver internet services to over 250 premises.
The Farms of the Future program will invest $27 million in driving uptake of agricultural technology (Agtech) to improve the productivity, sustainability and efficiency of NSW agriculture over the 2025-2028 period.
The expansion of the Farms of the Future program will empower more farmers to adopt Agtech solutions, with comprehensive support provided throughout their journey.
Improving Gulargambone and Menindee connectivity
The NSW Government has partnered with Opticomm to install Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) to eligible addresses free of charge.
Being connected to the FTTP network gives residents and business owners additional choice in how they connect to the internet, whether it be via the fibre network, satellite or fixed wireless services.
With internet delivered through fibre, residents and businesses can expect faster downloads, enabling more reliable access to essential services such as telehealth, online education and seamless streaming.
FTTP is considered a premium broadband technology where fibre optic cables run directly from the service provider's network to a home or business. It is considered the gold standard for internet connectivity.
Improved internet from Narromine to Cobar
The NSW Government is investing in the installation of nbn fixed wireless internet connectivity to benefit over 800 homes and businesses around Cobar, Narromine, Nyngan, Trangie and Warren.
The nbn fixed wireless network is providing access to reliable broadband internet with faster download speeds, making it easier to work remotely, access digital services, connect with loved ones and stream entertainment.
The project is an example of the NSW Government investing to future-proof and improve internet connectivity for the communities that currently rely on satellite internet services alone.
Connecting our cross-border communities
In a co-investment program, the NSW Government, the Victorian Government and nbn are enhancing cross-border connectivity, benefiting regions like Swan Hill/Murray Downs, Tooleybuc/Piangil, and Nyah/Koraleigh. These upgrades provide faster, more reliable broadband to residents and businesses in these border communities. Within NSW, this project benefits over 470 homes in Piangil, Nyah and Swan Hill North.
Reducing the digital divide in Aboriginal communities
In 2025, a $10 million tender was awarded to two contractors, Vocus and EasyWeb, to invest in pilot programs that help reduce the digital divide in Discrete Aboriginal communities across NSW.
This investment will benefit four communities that currently have no internet solution, providing them with voice and data services.
The communities benefitting from this pilot program will have new internet connectivity and mobile connectivity this year, with all construction due to be completed by mid-2026.
Future programs are planned once learnings have been reviewed and assessed.
Connecting Country Communities Fund
Thirty-six broadband internet towers have been delivered across regional NSW, in partnership with the NSW Telco Authority.
Support and contact
For more information and updates about digital connectivity projects in regional NSW, contact us and a member of our team will respond shortly.
Email: rdc.program@dpird.nsw.gov.au
For information about your individual connectivity matters, please contact The Regional Tech Hub for free and independent advice, which is funded by the Australian Government’s Better Connectivity Plan.