NBN Co to set up regional business unit

The corporation behind the National Broadband Network will establish a regional business unit dedicated to improving connections and services for people living in country Australia.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the new unit within NBN Co would encompass the fixed wireless and satellite networks, as well as deal with customer issues.

"Regional Australia is the backbone of our economy, which is why when the Morrison government came into office in 2013 it prioritised - and has now largely delivered - the rollout of NBN in regional areas," he said in a statement on Thursday.

The National Rural Health Alliance, the peak body for rural and remote health in Australia, said it was a positive move as regional Australia lagged behind cities in terms of digital inclusion and literacy.

"There's still a desperate need to improve telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity in the bush because that's the backbone of digital health services," CEO Dr Gabrielle O'Kane said.

The alliance is working on a long-term digital health strategy which will be the subject of a workshop, with NBN, in Sydney on November 8.

It has also welcomed the start of new Medicare items for GP and non-specialist video consultations in the most remote parts of Australia, which will start from Friday.