About the NSW Connectivity Strategy
Our vision is to enable meaningful digital connectivity across NSW that is world-class, affordable and resilient.
Our customers are communities, businesses, emergency services and government.
In a digital society, connectivity is the main driver for inclusion and active participation. It ensures we have a strong economy able to grow, a modern and smart government, and resilient and safe communities.
However, NSW still has numerous areas with poor or no connectivity. Around 15% of major roads do not have mobile coverage and around 30% of the rail network has poor or no coverage. There are 4,000 reported mobile black spots in NSW that impact around 10,000 premises while Sydney ranks 24 out of 30 global peers for resident satisfaction with internet speed and reliability.
As a result of this poor connectivity, more than 26% of children under the age of 15 in remote areas of NSW did not have the internet at home in 2021. Only 23% of people living in outer regional, remote or very remote areas accessed telehealth services compared to 30.4% of those living in inner regional areas and cities. 38% of Aboriginal households in NSW did not have an internet connection in 2016.
As NSW improves our digital infrastructure, it is vital that our efforts are coordinated with an overarching strategy.
NSW Telco Authority developed the NSW Connectivity Strategy to align and optimise statewide programs and opportunities to ensure modern, high speed digital networks are available to all.
The strategy is an important step forward to align with world's best practice, accelerate access to digital services, and close the digital divide between metropolitan, rural and regional areas.
The strategy aims to deliver meaningful, world-class, affordable and resilient connectivity for communities, businesses, emergency services and government – one that is coordinated across government agencies and enables full participation in digital services and systems anywhere, anytime.