People should not have to go to such lengths, just to be treated equitably.
<https://birrraus.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/final-birrr-submissions-media-release-2.pdf>
DOUBLE-BARRELED BIRRR SUBMISSIONS with BUSH COMMUNICATIONS IN THE
FIRING LINE
BIRRR WARNS OF DEEPENING DIGITAL DIVIDE
SPOTLIGHTS KEY COMMS CONSUMER SAFEGUARDS
Rural communications advocacy group, Better Internet for Rural,
Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR) has addressed two major
telecommunications reviews this week, as it presented submissions to
the Productivity Commission on the Telecommunications USO (‘VoIP
versus landlines’), and Department of Communications and the Arts for
the Telecommunications Reform Package.
Nine volunteers from four states spent weeks compiling over 120 pages
of responses, evidence and case studies to the two telecommunications
submissions.
BIRRR spokesperson Kristy Sparrow commended her team on a huge effort,
as they fight both to save existing tools and to secure decent rural,
regional and remote telecommunication services into the future.
“The key question behind everything we have compiled are these: Are we
reducing the digital and communications divide or widening it? And are
we effectively using legislation and funding to do this?”
BIRRR today presented a stern response to the Telecommunications
Universal Service Obligation (USO) Productivity Commission Draft
Report, pinpointing several serious concerns about the detail in the
commission’s proposals.
While agreeing that a USO was vital to ensuring equitable access to
reasonable telecommunications across Australia, BIRRR has joined calls
for the PC to drop its recommendation to do away with fixed landline
services.
The commission’s draft reports suggested alternative is a mobile phone
service, instead of a landline telephone - a situation identified as
‘potentially disastrous’ by many across Australia’s rural and regional
communities.
“Many who do have reliable mobile coverage just don’t understand that
so many Australians cannot,” Kristy pointed out.
“To suggest that nbn satellite might be the alternative phone service
(via VoIP) is ludicrous. A Sky Muster VoIP service is poor quality,
complex and has no consumer service level agreement. Sky Muster
reliability levels have been unsatisfactory leaving end users with
long outages.
The group is also recommending that nbn NOT become the USO
infrastructure provider for voice.
‘These technologies were not designed for voice, nbn has not
previously been directed by the Government to provide voices services,
and as such their technology rollout has focused only on broadband.
“BIRRR members have expressed grave concern about the need for
existing landlines to be maintained until superior technology comes
along, we challenge the Government to actually read some of the
experiences suffered by people in the group,” Kristy said.
“We urge the Commission NOT to recommend removing proven communication
systems. The essential role played by landlines is far too vital to be
cut to simply fit budget requirements. The consequences of removing
generally- reliable landlines and forcing an already shaky service to
take over that role would be immense and immeasurable.
“RRR Australia could never recover from the direct and flow on effects
of such a move which would economically destroy bush businesses and
potentially endanger lives.”
Another key point BIRRR made to the commission today is that the USO
MUST be extended to include broadband technology, on which so much
communication, education and business now depends.
Kristy spoke to BIRRR’s submission (via phone hookup) at the Melbourne
public hearing this morning, and provided examples of the 200
troubleshooting cases that they deal with each week.
Customer service (or lack thereof) provided by nbn and rural, regional
and remote broadband providers was also in the group’s firing line.
“The very reason for the existence of the BIRRR group is the
reluctance of nbn and telecommunications providers to offer reliable
services, with efficient customer service and transparent information
to regional consumers.”
With over 120,000 website hits, and hundreds of requests for help each
week, the group showcases the need for RRR consumers to be able to
access user-friendly telecommunications services that meet their
specific needs.
Kristy said there is a sweeping assumption (by nbn and providers) that
all users have the technical expertise to know how to get and stay
connected for voice and broadband requirements.
“Other essential service providers in RRR areas manage to do their own
troubleshooting of issues, they don’t rely on a volunteer group (like
BIRRR) to do it for them. The telecommunications industry should be
appalled for their apathetic attitude to regional consumers.”
“The divide we are facing - a serious communications divide - is
ongoing and growing and has been created as a direct lack of support
offered to RRR Australians.”
Kristy told the Productivity Commission that ‘every Australian,
irrespective of where they live or work, should be confident they can
access quality, reliable, accessible & affordable voice and broadband
services with customer support guarantees.’
The BIRRR group also confirmed it could NOT give full support to a
Telecommunications Reform Package that does not establish safeguards
in relation to Statutory Infrastructure Provider (SIP) performance,
calling on the Government to review nbn policy and direction.
While BIRRR appreciates recent developments in telecommunications such
as further mobile blackspot funding and the launch of Sky Muster
Satellites, Kristy says “she is astounded that there is no uniform
scheme, safeguards or legislation proposed to deliver reliable and
equitable voice and broadband services for all Australians.”
“On behalf of all Australians, I wish that the Government and
telecommunication industry would STOP focusing on speed, and start
delivering reliability, affordability, accessibility, quality of
service and customer service,” Kristy said.
She called for real change lead by government, rather than endless
bureaucratic inaction.
“There have been countless submissions, reviews, regulations and
studies, but very limited action and targeted funding. There has been
a focus on costs and broadband speeds but not on productivity, human
life and livelihoods.
“RRR Australia contribute a large proportion of Australia’s GDP and
live across 80% of Australia's landmass. They do this in some of the
most hostile and hazardous locations, making their need for reliable
telecommunications paramount."
BIRRR is urging the Government to acknowledge that now it is time to
be proactive and solve the telecommunications issues raised in these
reports, with a serious commitment to ensure that no Australian is
disadvantaged.
“Frankly we should NOT have to constantly do battle to simply remain
connected.”
The BIRRR Submissions are available on their website for public viewing.
BIRRR PC USO SUBMISSION
<https://birrraus.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/birrr-draft-uso-submission-publicsm1.pdf>
BIRRR TELECOMMS REFORM PACKAGE SUBMISSION
<https://birrraus.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/telecommunications-reform-package-birrr-submission.pdf>
--
David Boxall | Whatever we do or fail to do,
| no matter why we do or fail to do it,
http://david.boxall.id.au | we remain responsible for the consequences
| of our actions and our failures to act.
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