Rural lobby groups have welcomed today’s announcement of a Productivity Commission inquiry into the Universal Service Obligation (USO).
AgForce vice-president and telecommunications committee chair Georgie Somerset said the inquiry would examine how the telecommunications market is evolving in regional and remote Australia.
"The Universal Service Obligation has helped provide access to standard telephone services and payphones to all Australians for many years, but now Australians are using a range of technologies," she said.
"Regional Australians are now seeking more flexibility - some don't have a landline, only a mobile phone, and there is no protection for data provisions and costs.
"Our members in AgForce require effective and affordable mobile phone services and data access to run their businesses, for education purposes and to maintain their social networks.”
Speaking on behalf of the popular Facebook group, Better Internet Access for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR), Amanda Salisbury said the inquiry was a welcome chance for government to properly gauge and address “sometimes desperate” communication issues.
“We are witness to personal stories of frustration, anger and hopelessness as Australians beyond our city limits try to educate their children, run their businesses, seek healthcare and network within and beyond their communities,” she said.
“The sooner these issues are addressed, the better.
“Quite aside from broadband issues, we understand that radio phone systems are failing and many consumers are reporting that USO are not being met on multiple levels."
NFF President, Brent Finlay, said USO reform was an opportunity to turn around connectivity in the bush.
“Currently the government is paying $253 million each year to maintain copper phone lines and payphones. In the context of the NBN rollout we need to ask ourselves whether that’s the best use of those funds,” Mr Finlay said.
“What we know is that hundreds of communities are still without mobile phone coverage and this stifles agricultural productivity and improvements to farm safety.
“We also know that, over time, expansion of the NBN Fixed Wireless footprint will be needed to maintain capacity on the NBN Satellites.
“The NFF will be arguing for a fresh approach that delivers increased funding for mobile blackspots and continued investment in rural broadband. These changes are vital to ensure we break the data drought and keep pace with demand.
“The Productivity Commission Inquiry is an important next step in the reform process and we look forward to communicating the needs of rural Australia over coming months.
“We also hope that given the urgency of these measures the Productivity Commission might see fit to deliver its findings well inside the 12 months allowed for by the Government.”