The content on this page and other DCITA document archive pages is provided to assist research and may contain references to activities or policies that have no current application. See the full archive disclaimer.

HiBIS is an Australian Government program providing access to higher bandwidth services for people in regional, rural and remote Australia at prices comparable to those available in metropolitan Australia.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can register with HiBIS, and receive an incentive payment for each registered HiBIS service they provide to an eligible customer.

Providers are able to use these incentive payments to reduce the price of existing broadband services like satellite or to roll out new broadband infrastructure like ADSL or wireless local loops, where consumer demand might otherwise have been insufficient to justify such investments.

Incentive payments

There are two categories of incentive payments available to ISPs registered under HiBIS:

• a Standard payment of $1540 for each HiBIS service provided to premises which have ISDN access; and
• a High Cost payment of $3300 for each HiBIS service provided to premises which have no ISDN access.

These incentives are payable to registered HiBIS providers who deliver HiBIS services to eligible customers, at eligible premises which were not able to receive a service that is metro-comparable in price, functionality and performance at the start of HiBIS.

For further information on the process for checking which level of incentive payment applies, see the  Process for checking which level of incentive payment applies (File size: 109Kb).

What is a metro-comparable service?

A metro-comparable service is defined as having a peak download data speed of at least 256kbps and a peak upload speed of at least 64 kbps with a monthly usage allowance of at least 500MB and be offered at a price for a three year package of up to:

• $2500 where the service is an ADSL service; and
• $3000 where the service is not an ADSL service.

What services can I register under HiBIS?

All HiBIS providers must offer a Threshold Service equivalent in functionality and price to the metro-comparable service.

HiBIS threshold services which have additional features, functionality or inclusions can be offered at a slightly higher price, up to an additional $400 over a three-year package.

Providers can also offer Added Value Services. These are services that exceed the minimum HiBIS performance requirements and/or offer greater functionality and features. Added value services are subject to more flexible pricing arrangements.

For each HiBIS service a HiBIS provider must:

• offer each customer the service at its registered price for at least three years from connection;
• comply with data speed and service availability standards;
• provide full information to the customer about the features of the service; and
• comply with a range of other consumer safeguards.

Where are the HiBIS Service areas?

HiBIS is available to customers whose premises are in the HiBIS area, which covers all of Australia beyond the Metropolitan Exclusion Area (MEA). The MEA is:

• the capital cities of Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Darwin; and
• the adjacent high population centres of Wollongong (NSW), the Central Coast of NSW, Newcastle (NSW), Geelong (Vic), Palmerston (NT) and the Gold Coast (Qld), including Tweed Heads (NSW).

HiBIS is targeted at four categories of customers:

• a residential customer;
• a small business with 20 or fewer permanent full time employees;
• a not-for-profit organisation with 20 or fewer permanent full time employees; or
• a not-for-profit organisation that intends to provide public access Internet facilities.

Potential customers can register their interest in being supplied with a HiBIS service through the HiBIS Customer Demand Register. Information entered in the HiBIS Demand Register is available to registered HiBIS service providers.

How do I check the eligibility of premises for HiBIS?

The process of checking the eligibility of premises for HiBIS is fully explained in the Process for checking which level of incentive payment applies (File size: 109Kb).

How do I claim the incentive payment?

Once a HiBIS Provider has commenced supplying a HiBIS service to an eligible customer, the registered provider can claim payment of the incentive in relation to that service via HiBIS Online.

HiBIS Online is an online reporting tool where registered service providers will record the details of new customers and claim the relevant incentive amount.

What are the retailer-wholesaler arrangements under HiBIS?

Where a service provider applying for HiBIS registration proposes to provide a HiBIS service by re-selling the service provided by a wholesale service provider, the applicant must agree with the wholesale service provider whether, and in what proportion, the HiBIS Incentive Payment will be shared between the HiBIS Provider and the wholesale service provider.

Where there is agreement to share the Incentive Payment between the HiBIS Provider and the wholesale service provider, the wholesale service provider must also register with DCITA as a HiBIS Wholesaler.

Note that DCITA will only register a wholesale service provider where they have established new infrastructure and/or incurred other costs since the start of HiBIS that can be directly attributed to the provision of HiBIS Services.

How do I apply for registration?

Registration Forms for registering service providers, wholesale service providers and services can be downloaded.

Providers who are approved for registration with HiBIS will enter into an Agreement with DCITA. This Agreement will bind the provider to offer and supply its HiBIS services on the terms and conditions as outlined in the HiBIS Guidelines.

Registration of HiBIS wholesalers is for the purpose of accounting for HiBIS incentive payments that are agreed to be passed on to HiBIS wholesalers by HiBIS providers.

Potential HiBIS service providers and HiBIS wholesalers will be assessed in relation to their:

• identity;
• corporate standing and managerial capabilities;
• technical and operational capabilities;
• financial standing;
• ongoing operation and sustainability of its business, particularly in regard to the HiBIS Services proposed; and
• capacity to meet the requirements of the HiBIS Guidelines.

Registered HiBIS service providers and HiBIS wholesalers will also be required to fulfil a range of ongoing reporting requirements including performance testing of their registered HiBIS services.

HiBIS Disclaimer

HiBIS is the Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme and is not related to, endorsed by or otherwise connected with Hibis Corporation Pty Limited or the trade mark Hibis owned by that company.

• Document ID: 9277 |
• Last modified: 5 February 2008, 9:33pm