Pursuant to paragraph 2(f) of the committee’s resolution of establishment, the committee will inquire into the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in rural and regional areas, specifically focussed on the capacity and reliability of the satellite, fixed wireless and fixed line networks, in particular the:

1. planning, mapping and eligibility for satellite, fixed wireless and fixed line services;
2. adequacy of plans and service reliability of satellite, fixed wireless and fixed line services;
3. issues in relation to the future capacity of satellite, fixed wireless and fixed line services;
4. provision of service by alternative providers of satellite, fixed wireless and fixed line services; and
5. any other related matters.

In the course of the inquiry for the committee’s first report,  the committee received both submissions and oral evidence detailing personal circumstances in relation to issues in connecting to the NBN. The committee’s intention in this inquiry is to focus on the broader policy aspects of the rollout of the NBN in rural and regional areas.  

The committee calls for submissions on the inquiry into the rollout of the NBN in rural and regional areas. The closing date for submissions is 29 March 2018 with the reporting date to be advised.