About the Index
The NSW Digital Connectivity Index is an easy online tool that measures meaningful connectivity across NSW.
Meaningful connectivity means being able to get online reliably using any device like a phone, tablet or computer. It helps people work, study, run a business, stay in touch with others and get important updates during emergencies.
The Index doesn’t just show where coverage exists – it also checks how fast, reliable and affordable it is and who can access it.
The Index focuses on three key areas:
Access – how good the coverage is, how well the network performs and how many options are available.
Affordability – whether people can afford the available connectivity technology based on their income
Demographics – how things like age, income and education affect how people use digital services
The Index is measured independently for both mobile and broadband connectivity to assess the ability to get online while out and about or when at home.
The Index uses data from government and commercial sources and desktop research to give a full picture of digital connectivity in each region. It shows how likely people in an area are to do everyday things online – whether at home, at work or on the move.
The latest update uses the most recent publicly available data on mobile and broadband coverage and performance.
Mobile coverage data from Optus, Telstra and TPG is current as of January 2024. Broadband coverage data from NBN Co. is current to March 2024.
Broadband performance data, including for providers like SpaceX Starlink, covers the period from August 2023 to July 2024.
How the NSW Digital Connectivity Index can be used
You can use the Index to check expected mobile and internet performance in an area. It helps people understand what kind of digital access is available nearby.
For example, a family thinking about moving to a regional area can check the Index to see if there’s reliable internet or mobile coverage. This is important for working from home or helping kids with online learning.
Government agencies can use the Index to find areas with poor internet or mobile services. They can then plan upgrades, funding or digital skills programs. For example, if a town scores low in both access and affordability, it could be chosen for better services or support to make internet access cheaper.
The data in the Index is updated regularly, so it stays accurate and reflects the current situation.
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Index, reach out to our team at connectivityindex@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.
How to read the Index score:
The higher the Index score, the more likely a user will be able to conduct everyday digital activities in the selected area.
| Score | Rating | What does this score mean? |
|---|---|---|
| 81-100 | Excellent | Communities with these scores are highly likely to be able to meaningfully conduct digital activities such as working, video conferencing and accessing telehealth. |
| 61-80 | Above Average | Communities with these scores are likely able to meaningfully conduct digital activities such as working, video conferencing and accessing telehealth. |
| 41-60 | Average | Communities with these scores are less likely to be able to meaningfully conduct digital activities such as working, video conferencing and accessing telehealth. |
| 21-40 | Below Average | Communities with these scores are unlikely to be able to meaningfully conduct digital activities such as working, video conferencing and accessing telehealth. |
| 0-20 | Poor | Communities with these scores are highly unlikely to be able to meaningfully conduct digital activities such as working, video conferencing and accessing telehealth |
Frequently asked questions
The Connectivity Index measures the digital connectivity experience of an area by considering factors such as internet speed, the availability of mobile and internet providers and how prepared the population is to use the internet based on education and skills. It sets minimum standards for each of these factors and considers different situations, such as using the internet at home or on the go. By combining these factors, the Index gives an overall score that shows how well an area meets its residents' connectivity needs.
“Mobile” refers to digital activities you undertake when you’re out and about, using mobile connectivity on your phone or other mobile device.
“Broadband” refers to digital activities conducted through fixed networks, including fibre, fixed wireless and satellite connections, providing stable connectivity when you are in a single, fixed location, such as at home or in the office. This could include things like working from home, downloading large files, video conferencing or online gaming.
The new “Coverage” feature lets users see where mobile and broadband services are available on the map.
When using the Mobile view and turning on the Coverage toggle, the map will show combined mobile coverage from Telstra, Optus and TPG. This information comes from the latest ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Report.
The Index does not show the coverage of each individual network, please refer to Telstra, Optus, and TPG for information on their individual networks.
When using the Broadband view and turning on the Coverage toggle, the map will show where broadband services are available. This includes fibre and fixed wireless from NBN Co, as well as satellite services like Starlink. The information is based on the latest data published by NBN Co.
Broadband access scores have gone up in regional and remote parts of NSW mainly because of the availability of SpaceX’s Starlink internet service. Starlink uses satellites in low Earth orbit to deliver fast internet, including in areas that were previously hard to reach. This has led to a noticeable improvement in Broadband Access scores in those regions.
The Index’s “Suburb” filter refers to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ “Suburbs and Localities”, which represent officially recognised residential areas defined by state governments. They function primarily as geographic identifiers for your neighbourhood.
In contrast, LGAs encompass a broader geographic area, grouping multiple suburbs and localities under a single local council's jurisdiction. These councils are responsible for essential services like waste collection, park maintenance and local road upkeep.
Suburbs/localities identify your specific neighbourhood, while LGAs define the administrative zone managed by your local council.
We continuously update the NSW Digital Connectivity Index data and improve its methodology to ensure the connectivity scores accurately represent current conditions.
The latest update was carried out in June 2025 and includes the most recent publicly available data on mobile coverage and network performance. The methodology used to calculate the Index scores has also been improved based on valuable user feedback.
The updated Index now includes refreshed scores for access, affordability and demographics, offering a more comprehensive view of digital connectivity.
The Connectivity Index combines data from over 400 million data points, including geographical data with indicators like coverage, network performance, income and demographics. It was then combined with data from existing best practice indices and tested with stakeholders to create a comprehensive benchmark for connectivity. The data and the methodology have also been independently verified.
Majority of the data used by the Index tool is sourced from public sites. There is no personal or commercial in confidence data used in the Index tool. The tool adheres to the privacy and data frameworks set by NSW Government.
Yes. NSW Government agencies can use the tool to combine Connectivity Index information with other data sets to explore critical issues or themes. For example, it can be overlaid with data on roads, bushfire-prone areas or car accidents, to identify road segments that should be prioritised for improvements, such as in improving safety and efficiency.
The Connectivity Index and its scores are a reliable source of meaningful digital connectivity data that provides public users with greater transparency on digital connectivity across the state.
Through the Connectivity Index, users can:
- Understand how their connectivity ranks in comparison to other areas.
- Access vital information about potential connectivity challenges, ensuring they are better prepared.
- Assess whether local area connectivity meets their needs.
For example, a user moving to Sydney can find out what connectivity is like in the suburb of Sydney they are planning to reside.