Discover how connected your community really is – at a glance
Use the NSW Digital Connectivity Index ('the Index') to discover how connected your community really is – at a glance.
What makes connectivity meaningful? It’s more than just being online.
The Index looks at reliability, speed, affordability for both mobile and internet, and who can access services using any device like a phone, tablet or computer.
Looking to move to a new suburb, begin remote work or study, or setting up a business?
Use the Index to check if the suburb has the internet speed and mobile coverage you need.
The three key areas of digital connectivity
The Index breaks digital connectivity down into three key areas:
Access – how strong is the coverage, how well the network performs and how many options are available.
Affordability – if people can afford the connectivity technology options available based on their income.
Demographics – how age, income and education shape the way people use digital services.
You can view results separately for mobile and broadband connections, so you know what to expect when you’re on the move or at home.
The Index uses public data from government and commercial sources, and desktop research to give a full picture of digital connectivity in each region throughout NSW.
It shows how likely people in an area are to do everyday things online – whether at home, at work or on the move.
Mobile coverage data for Optus, Telstra and TPG is current as of January 2024. Broadband coverage data for NBN Co. is current as of March 2024.
Broadband performance data, including for providers like SpaceX Starlink, covers the period from August 2023 to July 2024.
How to read the NSW Digital Connectivity Index score
The higher the NSW Digital Connectivity Index score, the more likely you will be able to do daily digital activities – like video calls, online work, or telehealth – 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 reliably conduct digital activities such as working, video conferencing and accessing telehealth. |
| 61-80 | Above Average | Communities with these scores are likely able to reliably 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 reliably 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 reliably 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 reliably conduct digital activities such as working, video conferencing and accessing telehealth |
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Index, reach out to our team at connectivityindex@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.
Frequently asked questions
The NSW Digital Connectivity Index measures how an area supports everyday digital needs for people, communities and businesses. It looks at factors such as internet speed, the availability of mobile and broadband providers and people’s ability to use digital services through education and skills. It also considers different situations, such as connectivity at home, at work and on the move. These measures are combined into an overall score that shows how well an area meets its connectivity needs.
“Mobile” refers to digital activities you undertake when you are 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 Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Mobile Infrastructure Report.
The NSW Digital Connectivity 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 the National Broadband Network Corporation (NBN), as well as satellite services like Starlink.
The information is based on the latest data published by the NBN.
The 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 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 where they are planning to reside.
The NSW Digital Connectivity Index refers to ‘suburbs’ that identify specific neighbourhoods. While LGAs refers to the broader geographic area, grouping multiple suburbs and localities under a single local council's jurisdiction.
The NSW Digital Connectivity Index is updated regularly using the latest public data on mobile coverage and network performance.
The Index was updated in June 2025 using the latest public data on mobile coverage and network performance.
The methods used to calculate scores have improved based on user feedback and to better reflect current conditions.
The updated Index includes new scores for access, affordability and demographics, giving a clearer picture of digital connectivity in your area.
Broadband access scores have improved in regional and remote parts of NSW, reflecting a combination of infrastructure upgrades and the growing availability of newer technologies such as SpaceX’s Starlink.
Using low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink delivers high-speed internet to previously underserved areas, contributing to a noticeable improvement in Broadband access scores in those regions.
The Index combines data from over 400 million data points, including geographical data with indicators like coverage, network performance, income and demographics.
The Index has been combined with data from existing best practice indices and tested with users, to create a comprehensive benchmark for connectivity. The data and the methodology used have also been independently verified.
Most of the data used by the NSW Digital Connectivity Index tool is sourced from public sites. There is no personal or commercial in confidence data used in the Index tool. The Index adheres to the privacy and data frameworks set by NSW Government.
Yes. NSW Government agencies can combine information from the Index 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 improving road safety and performance.