The links will connect six priority blackspots and another 102 competitive backbone access points across each state, which will be built over the next 18 months.

Nextgen Networks won the Regional Backbone Blackspots Program and will use Alcatel-Lucent's infrastructure, including its longhaul dense wave division multiplexing platform, photonic service switches and transport service switches.

Nextgen Networks will provide 6000km of fibre optic broadband to six locations: Emerald and Longreach, Queensland; Geraldton, Western Australia; Darwin, Northern Territory; Broken Hill, New South Wales; Victor Harbor, South Australia; and South West Gippsland, Victoria.

See more about the regional blackspots rollout in our .

Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, said the backbone will directly benefit more than 395,000 people in 100 regional locations and ensure high-speed broadband is expanded to all homes, schools and workplaces.