For Australia's telecommunications infrastructure, I feel that the
fertiliser has finally impacted the ventilator.
<http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/11/rural-australias-internet-is-so-bad-it-needs-its-own-lobby-group/>
Telecommunications coverage in in rural, regional and remote areas of
Australia is pathetic. It really is.
<https://birrraus.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/161130-joint-media-release-new-coalition-formed-to-end-the-data-drought-final.pdf>
30 November, 2016
MEDIA RELEASE
New Coalition formed to end the data drought
A group of like-minded advocacy groups have come together to end the
data drought by forming the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications
Coalition to champion better communications services for consumers and
small businesses living in rural, remote or regional areas.
The Coalition includes the Australian Communications Consumer Action
Network (ACCAN), the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF), the Country
Women’s Association of NSW, the Isolated Children’s Parents’
Association and AgForce Queensland.
“The Coalition was formed to highlight the collective concerns of
families, businesses and communities in rural and regional Australia
about the lack of equitable access to reliable and quality
telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia,”
ACCAN CEO, Teresa Corbin said.
“2017 must be the year of delivering real improvements to digital
connectivity in the bush.”
The Coalition has developed five fundamental outcomes as measures of
equitable connectivity for regional and remote consumers. They are
ambitious and achievable, and they reflect the pressing need for change.
The five outcomes are:
* A universal service obligation that is technology neutral and
provides access to both voice and data;
* Customer service guarantees and reliability measures to underpin the
provision of voice and data services and deliver more accountability
from providers and nbn;
* Long term public funding for open access mobile network expansion in
rural and regional Australia;
* Fair and equitable access to Sky Muster satellite services for those
with a genuine need for the service, and access which reflects the
residential, educational and business needs of rural and regional
Australia;
and
* Fully resourced capacity building programs that build digital
ability, and provide learning and effective problem solving support
for regional, rural and remote businesses and consumers.
NFF CEO, Tony Mahar, said that the organisation is pleased to be a
member of the Coalition. “Our members include some of the most
innovative businesses and individuals in Australia. Yet we remain
locked out of future economic growth and prosperity through the
digital divide which is undermining Australia’s productivity.
“Without leadership and change, Australia risks growing and
entrenching the digital divide between urban and rural
telecommunications users. We risk undermining the opportunities
presented by digital innovation to the farming community and rural
Australia as a whole.”
“Beyond growing productivity, ending the data drought is also
immensely valuable for rural, regional and remote communities,”
Country Women’s Association of NSW President, Annette Turner said.
“Getting better digital connectivity in the bush can have such a
positive impact on people’s lives and also assist in overcoming the
tyrannies of distance. With good connectivity, educational outcomes
are improved, health services can be streamlined and business can
flourish.”
Wendy Hick, Federal President of the Isolated Children’s Parents’
Association of Australia, said: “Access, reliability and affordability
of service are the most pressing communication issues for our families
residing in rural and remote
Australia. ICPA welcomes the opportunity to work with those advocating
for a fair go when it comes to accessing communication services. We
look forward to contributing to discussions to ensure families living
and working in rural and remote Australia have equity of access to a
continuing and appropriate education."
AgForce Queensland Vice-president, Georgie Somerset, said putting an
end to the data drought was one of the highest priorities for
regional, rural and remote Australians. “Effective and affordable
mobile phone and internet services provide an economic and social
lifeline for people in the bush. It’s an essential part of everyday
life and is vitally important for community safety, to support
business development, enhance children’s education and maintain social
connections.
“That’s why it’s so important for all levels of government and all
sides of politics to collaborate with the telecommunications industry
to extend and improve services in the bush as quickly as possible.”
ENDS
For more information please see: www.australianfarmers.org.au
Hashtag: #datadrought
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