The Australian Greens say it's now up to the Federal Government to guarantee comprehensive broadband coverage for regional Australia, after the Senate last night voted to merge the now- defunct regional communications fund with a new Building Australia Fund.

"The Federal Government has abolished the existing $2 billion regional communications fund and the government must assure regional Australia this commitment to future-proof regional areas still remains," said the Greens Communications Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.

The Greens voted with the Rudd Government in the Senate last night to set up the Building Australia Fund but have been steadfast in arguing that the Government must ensure broadband coverage for the regions.

Senator Ludlam is concerned some of the tenderers for the National Broadband Network are falling well short of the broad coverage promised.

"Before the election, Labor promised to provide broadband coverage to 98% of Australia, but now we have a situation where the corporations tendering for the broadband contract are flagging the possibility of falling short of this mark."

"For example, Telstra is contemplating leaving more than ten per cent of the population out of the network and I'm concerned regional Australia will remain within the broadband black spots."

"In remote and regional Australia broadband is integral for access to employment, educational and social opportunities. These communities shouldn't be left in the margins of the broadband network, and the government needs to provide a guarantee that they won't be," said Senator Ludlam.

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