The DEC of telecommunications infrastructure in the NT is projected to rise by 114 per cent from $105 million in 2011 to $225 million in 2031.
Most of this growth is projected to occur in Darwin. This is broadly in line with the rate of growth forecast for the NT economy at large. The wider challenge is ensuring efficient delivery of high quality services to regional and remote communities.
The Department of Communications reported in December 2013 that 88 per cent of premises had access to ADSL, 56 per cent had 3G mobile coverage and 34 per cent had 4G coverage.547 The NT has the lowest coverage of the states and territories for fixed and mobile broadband services.
Remote communities in the NT lack contemporary communications infrastructure. As of June 2014, 41 per cent of these communities lack access to traditional fixed-line telephone services, 91 per cent lack have access to DSL, and 52 per cent lack access to mobile networks.
Overall, there are 44 remote communities that do not have access to even basic fixed and mobile services.
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547. Department of Communications (2013)