LACK of coverage, unreliable service and impacts on business have been among the issues raised during the submission period of the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Independent Review.
More than 650 submissions were received as part of the review, which is held every three years and aims to tackle some of the biggest issues regarding telecommunications such as changing demand, reliability, regional development and education.
The review committee, which is chaired by former Nationals MP and Deputy Leader of the House Luke Hartsuyker, Sue Middleton, Kristy Sparrow, Professor Hugh Bradlow and Michael Cosgrave, heard from bush locals from places like Stawell, Victoria, Gunnedah, NSW and Landsborough, Queensland.
Peak representative bodies such as Adelaide Hills Council, South Australia, AgForce Queensland Farmers Limited and Yarramalong Communications Action Group, NSW, also entered submissions.
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In it's submission, Australian Country Choice Group, which operates in 34 locations across the state, offered solutions to the questions posed by the review committee in its issues paper including the need to create a competitive market for telecommunications companies to work in, which in turn could led to better options for regional areas.
"Connectivity across most of our business has improved significantly over the past three to four years, however this has mostly come at our own investment cost," the submission read.
"This cost and or lack of reliable and commercially accepted speeds, is greatly limiting our ability to implement much-needed innovation across our operations.
"As communities and remote operations become more reliant on telecommunications and data services, personal safety, health and wellbeing become totally reliant on telecommunications and reliability is paramount."
Also making a submission was the Nebo-Sarina Range branch of the Country Women's Association, which voiced its frustration about a lack of coverage along East Funnel Creek Road.
"When dealing with government departments these days, they often want to send a code to your mobile phone for confirmation," the submission read.
"This is near impossible for East Funnel Creek Road residents."
Goondiwindi-based Cameron Pastoral Company also echoed challenges facing businesses in its submission and called for more action to be taken on coverage blackspots.
"The government needs to ensure progress on coverage of non-commercially viable mobile black spots as a priority in regional digital infrastructure program funding to ensure accessibility for all Australians," the submission read.
"We recommend that priority be given to forward planning for the use of 5G services in regional areas and the impact of the Internet of Things (IoT) for regional communities.
"Infrastructure needs to be designed to support long distance coverage for regional agriculture to enhance interconnectivity between farmers, livestock and machinery to enhance modern farming and make best use of emergent technologies."
A spokesperson for the review committee said while the committee thanked all those who made submissions it was not in a position "to discuss individual submissions", however it would provide a report to the federal government by the end of the year.
"These submissions provide valuable insights on the adequacy of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia and the committee is currently considering all submissions in detail to inform the development of its final report to the Australian Government," the spokesperson said.
To read all of the non-confidential submissions, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/2021-regional-telecommunications-review.
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