the broadband for the bush alliance - communications€¦ · to influence and inform policy makers...
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BroadbandfortheBushAllianceP.O.Box8500AlicespringsNT0871ABN81609859378
MrSeanEdwardsChairRegionalTelecommunicationsReviewDepartmentofCommunicationsandtheArtsGPOBox2154Canberra,ACT,2601
RE: 2018 Review of Regional Telecommunications in Australia – Submission from the Broadband for the Bush Alliance
DearChair
OnbehalfoftheBroadbandfortheBushAllianceIwouldliketothankyouandmembersoftheCommitteeforattendingandpresentinganoutlineofthereviewatourrecentForuminDarwin.TheannualForumisanimportantongoingnationalconversationvaluabletoinformingpolicyforpeoplelivingandworkinginremoteAustralia.WetrustyougainedmuchfrombeingpartoftheForum.
WearepleasedtocontributetothistimelyreviewofRegionalTelecommunicationsinAustralia.Theattachedresponsewasdraftedinconsultationwithourmembersandstakeholders,commencingwiththe“WorldCafé”sessionattheDarwinForumwhichsomeofyourCommitteeattended.DatagatheredfromtheForumwascomplimentedbyanonlinesurveyandanumberofdirectengagementswithB4BAmembers.AssuchthisresponsereflectsthecollectiveviewoftheAlliance.
AboutTheBroadbandfortheBushAlliance
TheBroadbandfortheBushAllianceisanationalnot‐for‐profitthatseekstoadvancethedigitalcapacityandcapabilityofpeoplewholiveandworkinremoteAustraliathroughaccesstobetterbroadbandservicesandincreaseddigitalinclusion.
TheAllianceisthetrustedandunitedvoiceforregionalandremoteAustralians,whichbringstogetherarangeofstakeholderswithexpertiseincommunications,remoteservicedelivery,andcommunityengagement.
Ourvisionisto:
Toinfluenceandinformpolicymakersandserviceprovidersaboutthespecificcommunicationneedsofremoteandruralpeople;and
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ToengagepeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliatoinform,buildawarenessandshareknowledgearoundDigitalInclusion1.
Sinceitsestablishmentin2012,theAlliancehascontributedsignificantlytomanydevelopmentsinregionaltelecommunications.AchievementstodateoftheAllianceinclude:
AdvocatingfordigitalinclusioninremoteAustralia,notablythepushfordigitalinclusionasa“ClosingTheGap”indicatorforallgovernments2
InformingandsupportingtheNBNSkymusterrolloutandPublicInterestPremisesStrategy
InformingtheexpansionofWi‐Fiservicesinremotecommunitiesandhomelands
Informingco‐investmentprogramsthathaveledtomoremobilecoverageincludingaffordablepre‐paidplans
InformingthereviewoftheUniversalServiceObligation(USO)andcontributingtodevelopmentoftheproposedUniversalServicesGuarantee(USG)
AttheDarwinForumtherewasarecognitionthattheconnectivityagendahasprogressedandarenewedcalltoshiftthefocustoincreasingthedeliveryofeffectivedigitalskillsforregionalandremoteAustralia.HowthiswillbedonetoprovideoptimumbenefitforpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustralianeedstobeakeyconsiderationtoanypolicydirectionarisingoutofthe2018Review.
WerecommendthatinordertoaddressthechallengesinregionaltelecommunicationsadedicatedRemoteTelecommunicationsPolicyandStrategy(RTPS)bedevelopedandimplementedasamatterofpriority.Thissubmissionoutlinesanumberofkeyrecommendationsthatwebelieveshouldformpartofthatpolicyandstrategy.
Inclosingthankyouagainfortheopportunitytosubmittothereview.TheAllianceisverysupportiveofthereviewandwelookforwardtoseeingarangeofpositiveoutcomesimplementedinregionalandremoteAustraliaoverthecomingyears.
Yourstruly,
1“Thegoalofdigitalinclusionistoenableeveryonetoaccessandusedigitaltechnologieseffectively.ItgoesbeyondsimplyowningacomputerorhavingaccesstoasmaRTPShone.Atitsheart,digitalinclusionisaboutsocialandeconomicparticipation:usingonlineandmobiletechnologiestoimproveskills,enhancequalityoflife,educate,andpromotewellbeingacrossthewholeofsociety.”
2http://broadbandforthebush.com.au/wp‐content/uploads/2018/01/Letter‐to‐NT‐CM_Digital‐Inclusion‐as‐Closing‐the‐Gap‐indicator_20170803_....pdf
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ApollineKohenChairBroadbandfortheBushAlliance
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Response to Regional Telecommunications Review 2018 Broadband for the Bush Alliance June 2018
Executive Summary
AsaccesstotheInternetimproves,theAllianceseesanincreasingneedfortargetedinvestmentindigitalinclusionprograms,especiallyforIndigenousandremotecommunities,publicadministration,participatorydemocracyandbusinesses.Additionally,theabilityforthoseinregionalandremoteareastoaffordthenecessaryaccessisofvitalimportanceifthecurrentinvestmentsintelecommunicationsaretobefullyrealized.
WecontendthattheseconsiderationsandthoseidentifiedinthefollowingresponseshouldformthecoreofadedicatedRemoteTelecommunicationsPolicyandStrategy(RTPS).
Weseetheneedforsuchapolicyasparamountandurgethatitbedevelopedasamatterofpriority,andrecognizethatthe“Onesizefitsall”modeloftheNBNdoesnotnecessarilymeetthemanydifferentanduniqueneedsandconditionsofpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustralia.AcomprehensiveRTPSneedstoaddressthethreepillarsofdigitalinclusionbeingAccess,AffordabilityandDigitalAbilityandshouldencompass:
Accessandequity‐Incorporatingaffordabilityissues;anexpandedUniversalServiceGuarantee(USG)aswellasarangeofrelevantandappropriateaccessmodelssupportinglocalinnovationandcapacity;
Capabilityforall‐Improvingdigitalliteracywithaviewtothefutureuseoftechnologyaswellastheintroductoryandbasiclevels.Alsodevelopingdigitalbusinessskillswhileunderstandingandutilisingthemanywaysinwhichdigitallearningtakesplaceinthecommunity;
ExpansionofmobilecoverageandeffectiveLastMilesolutions–anongoingneedthatrequiresavisionaryroadmapcreatinghigherlevelsofcertaintyandinnovation;
Infrastructure‐Developingflexibleandappropriateinfrastructuresolutions,includingrationaluseofexistinginfrastructurewithcheaperaccesstomoredata;and
Partnershipapproach‐successfuldevelopmentoftheRTPScanonlybeaccomplishedwithGovernments,Industryandcommunityworkingtogether.
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Thisrequiresarobustcommunicationandpartnerengagementstrategythatsharesthesamevisionforthefuture.
WhatisrequiredisanRTPSthatisbackedbystronggovernmentinvestmentbothindollarsandprinciplesoffairnessandequity.Werecommendthat,asapriority,workbecommissionedtofullyunderstandtheappropriatelevelofinvestmentgovernmentshouldconsidertoensuresuccessfulpolicyoutcomes.
TheAlliancerecommendsthatRTPSbedevelopedinpartnershipwiththemanycommunities,organisations,businessesandindividualsthatliveandworkinregionalandremoteAustraliatoensurethatarangeofmodelsandsituationsareunderstoodandaddressedappropriately.
Furthermore,TheBroadbandfortheBushAlliancenotesthattheReviewCommitteehasnotsoughtviewsfromsubmittersonthecriticalissueoftheUniversalServiceObligation(USO).WeareawarethatworkiscurrentlyunderwaytoredeveloptheUniversalServiceObligation(USO).WeareconcernedthatthereisarealriskofmanyregionalandremoteAustraliansbeingfurtherdisadvantagedifafutureUSOisnotsupportedtosufficientlevels.AreducedUSOwilllikelyseeTelstrareducetechnicalsupportforthemostcostlyinfrastructure,whichisoftenlocatedinremoteAustralia.WebelievethisCommitteeneedstoconsiderthisissueandrecommendthatthefutureprovideroflastresortarrangementsnamelytheUSObefullyfundedandmeettheneedsofremoteAustralians.
Recommendations
Inordertoaddressthechallengesinregionaltelecommunications,theBroadbandfortheBushAlliancerecommendthatadedicatedRemoteTelecommunicationsPolicyandStrategy(RTPS)bedevelopedandimplementedasamatterofpriority.
AcomprehensiveRTPSneedstoaddressthethreepillarsofdigitalinclusionbeingAccess,AffordabilityandDigitalAbilityandincorporatethefollowingrecommendations.
Overarching Principles
1. ThattheRTPSisbackedbystronggovernmentinvestmentbothindollarsandprinciplesoffairnessandequity.
2. Thatworkbecommissionedasaprioritytofullyunderstandtheappropriatelevelofinvestmentgovernmentshouldconsidertoensuresuccess.
3. ThattheRTPSbedevelopedinpartnershipwiththemanycommunities,organisations,businessesandindividualsthatliveandworkinregionalandremoteAustraliatoensurethatarangeofmodelsandsituationsareunderstoodandaddressedappropriately.
4. ThattheupdatedUniversalServiceObligation(USO)ensuresafutureprovider/soflastresortandthatUSOarrangementsbefullyfundedtomeettheneedsofremoteAustralians.
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Access
5. ThattheRTPSincorporateapredictivedataroadmapthatsetsrealistictargetsforfuturedatausagetoinformfutureinvestmentandprograms.
6. ThattheMobileBlackspotprogrambeingmaintainedandbroadenedandthe5Grolloutbeprioritizedasakeytechnology.
Affordability
7. ThatInternetServiceProviders(ISPs)andTelco’sbeencouraged/requiredtoprovideclarityinproductpromotiontoreducemarketconfusion.
8. ThatkeyAustralian,stateandterritorygovernmentservicesincludingaccesstogovernmentservicesasdeliveredthroughMyGov,educationandhealthbeunmeteredtoallowequitableaccess.
9. ThatAustralian,stateandterritorygovernmentappsandservicesbeappropriatelydesignedtomitigatecongestion,cost,andcapacitychallenges.
10. ThattheAustraliangovernmentutiliseorganisationssuchasBIRRR,theBroadbandfortheBushAllianceandtheAustralianDigitalInclusionAlliancetoengagewithregionalandremotecommunities.
11. ThatthroughCOAGtheAustraliangovernmenttakesaleadershippositiontoensuredataisaffordableforregionalandremoteAustralians.
12. ThattheAustraliangovernmentcommissionfurtherresearchtounderstanddataneedsandtechnologytrendstohelpplanforfutureindustriesandbusinessesthatcouldbesuccessfullydevelopedand/orre‐locatedinregionalandremoteAustralia.
Digital Ability
13. ThatanewrolloutoftheDigitalHubsincludingDigitalChampionstosupportinitiallydigitalenablementandindustry‐relatedawarenesswithlong‐termbenefitforalllocalcommunitiesbefundedandimplemented.
14. ThatatargetedIndigenousDigitalInclusionprogrambedevelopedwithindigenouscommunityguidanceandbefullyfundedbytheAustraliangovernment.
15. Thatadigitalabilityimprovementstrategybedevelopedandimplemented.Suchstrategyneedstoreflectthevarietyoflearningmethodsrequiredtomeetcommunityneedsandsupportexistinginfrastructuresuchaspubliclibrariesandcommunitycentres.
16. ThatanRTPSincorporateacceptableandcontinuouslyimprovingpublishedKPIsforservicedeliveryandproductsupportforregionalandremoteAustralia.
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17. ThattheAustraliangovernmentcommissionthedevelopmentofasetofsocialandeconomicmeasurestoguideinvestmentsinbetterbroadbandandmobilecoverageforcommunitybenefit.
18. ThatawiderangeoftechnologiessuitabletoregionalandremoteAustraliabesupportedbytheRTPStoencouragecontinuousimprovementandinnovationincludinglocallycontrolleddata/telephonynetworks.
19. ThattheAustraliangovernmenturgentlyundertakeworktodefinethenecessarymarketinterventionsrequiredtosupportcompetition,whereeconomicallyviable,inregionalandremoteAustralia.
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Response to individual questions
1. Whatarethemainbarrierstopeopleinregionalcommunitiesincreasingtheiruseofdigitaltechnologiesandpossiblesolutionsforovercomingthesebarriers?
WhileaccesstoreliabledigitalcommunicationtechnologyisbecomingthenormformostAustraliansthereremainsignificantnumbersthatfacebarrierstotheeffectiveuseofthosetechnologies.Broadlyspeaking,thebarriersfallwithinthethreesubcategoriessetoutintheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex(ADII),beingaccess,affordabilityanddigitalcapability.3
RegionalAustraliainparticularislaggingbehindandweurgentlyneedastrategytoaddressissuesofinfrastructure,access,affordabilityanddigitalability.ForpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliathesebarriersaremultipliedinsignificancedueinlargeparttofactorsrelatingtogeographyandtheADIIconfirmsthat.
“Themoreremoteyourlocation,themoredigitallyexcludedyouarelikelytobe.”4
Limitedinfrastructure,pooraccessandlowdigitalabilitycombinetoexacerbatetheimpactoncommunitiesinrelationtocommunicationswithgovernmentandessentialbusinessservicesincreasinglydeliveredexclusivelyonline,health,education,employmentandbusinessdevelopmentopportunities.
Eachofthesebarriersoftenintersectsandimpactsontheotherandassuchnooneshouldbeseeninisolationfromtheother.ForexamplethemovetoonlineCentrelinkreportingviaMyGovhasintroducedastructuralbarrierformanyresidentsofremoteAustraliainparticularAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.Internetaccessislimitedinmanycommunities,isoftencongestedandslow,isunaffordable,orisprovidedthroughcommunityfacilitiesthathavelimitedopeninghoursduringtheworkingweek.InmanyremoteNTcommunitiesthereisnopublicInternetaccessavailableandmobilecoverageisavailableinonlyabout20%ofremoteNT,north‐westWA,northSAandCapeYorkandTorresStraitcommunities.
ItisclearthatregionalareasinAustraliaarelessdigitallyconnected,havemoredifficultyaffordingtechnology,andarethereforelessdigitallyablethanthosewholiveincities.5Thecurrentevidencewouldsuggestthat,ifunchecked,thisgapbetweenruralandurbanareaswillexistandgrowforsometime.6IfallowedtocontinueitwillwidenovertimeandplaceregionalandremoteAustraliaatfurtherdisadvantagefrombothadigitalinclusionandacostoflivingperspective.
3Thomas,J,Barraket,J,Wilson,C,Ewing,S,MacDonald,T,Tucker,J&Rennie,E,2017,MeasuringAustralia’sDigitalDivide:TheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex2017,RMITUniversity,Melbourne,forTelstra.DOI:www.dx.doi.org/10.4225/50/596473db69505
4Dezuanni,M,Burgess,J,Thomas,J,Barraket,J,Marshall,A,Wilson,C,Ewing,S,MacDonald,T,2017,MeasuringQueensland’sDigitalDivide−TheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex2017:Queensland,RMITUniversity,Melbourne,forTelstra
5Thomas.Jetal.2017[Ibid].Table12p.20.
6Ibidp.6
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Toaddressthisimbalanceandtoavoidtheriskofincreasingthisrural/metropolitandigitaldividethegovernmentneedstointerveneinwaysthatensureequitableaccesstoappropriatebroadbandservicesandincreaseddigitalinclusiveness.KeytothisisthedevelopmentofadedicatedRTPSasearlierhighlightedandtheidentificationofthebarriersandtheappropriateco‐designedsolutionsneedtobeclearlyarticulated.
Access
AccessbarriersexistinremoteAustraliaprimarilyastherearelesscommunityplacesforpeopletoaccesstheInternet,especiallythoseonlowincomeandrequiringpublicaccess.Thishasanegativeimpactuponbusiness,education,employmentandhealthinparticularandworkstounnecessarilyimpoverishregionalandremoteAustralia.
Accessiscompoundedbythelackofavailabilityofbandwidthandconnectivityinremoteareas.Wecontendthatasyetnosuitablebroadbandsolutionhasbeenprovidedtonon‐urbandwellersandforthoseonsatelliteproductscongestionandlatencyarekeyongoingandseeminglyunresolvableissues7.
“EighteenlocationshavebeenidentifiedasdeliveringspeedsduringpeaktimesthatarelessthanwhattheaverageTurkishinternetuserenjoyedin2012”8
ItislikelythatcongestionwillremainanissuewhentheNBNrolloutiscompleteasthedemandformoreandmoredataispredictedtobeunmetbysupply.ApolicythatincorporatesapredictiveroadmapthatsetsrealistictargetsforfuturedataandvoiceusagewillworktoprovidesomecertaintyandlikelyseeTelco’s,governmentsandthecommunitybetterplacedtorespondtocongestionissuesastheyarise.
Thereareincreasingnumbersofcloudbasedproductsandservices.AsbusinessinregionalAustraliacomestorelymoreheavilyoncloudbasedapplicationstheabilityoftheInternetserviceprovidersincludingtheNBNneedstoensurethatcapacityisadequatetomeetthisgrowingneed.Thisiscurrentlynotsupportedwellbystand‐alonesatelliteforexampleduetodistance,latencyandotherisolationfactors.
Solutionsthatencouragetheprioritizationof5GasakeytechnologyandtheMobileBlackspotprogrambeingmaintained9andbroadenedaswellasincludingcomplementarytechnologiessuchaslongrangeWiFi,andactiveandpassiverepeatersneedtobeincludedintheaforementionedRTPS.ThisshouldincludemandatinganNBN(orotherWISP)gatewaysoneveryMobileBlackSpotstowerfundedbyCommonwealthandStatepublicmoney.
7Gothe‐Snape,Jackson.“IsFixedWirelessCongestionontheNBNGettingYoudown?You’reNotAlone.”Text.ABCNews,April25,2018.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018‐04‐25/nbn‐fixed‐wireless‐congestion‐slows‐connections‐across‐australia/9696490.
8Gothe‐Snape,Jackson.ibid
9WestronglyrecommendthatthenamebechangedtoremovedthewordBlackspot
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Recommendation 5: That the RTPS incorporate a predictive data roadmap that sets realistic targets for future data usage to inform future investment and programs.
Recommendation 6: That the Mobile Black spot program being maintained and broadened and the 5G rollout be prioritized as a key technology.
Affordability
IntheviewoftheAlliancefartoomanyregionalcommunitieshavebeenputonsatelliteastheonlyoptionratherthanmakeanefforttoexplorehowothertechnologysolutionssuchasfixedwireless,localLTEwithsatellitebackhaulorcablecouldcomplimentit.Forregionalandremoteconsumersthishasresultedinaproductrangethatislimitedandhashighercostinstallationsandsupportastherearefewifanysimple,plugandplayinstallationsatlowcost.
ConfusionintheproductmarketplaceexacerbatesaffordabilityandneedstobeaddressedbyensuringTelco’smarkettheirproductswithclarityandthatthoseonthecommunityhavetheabilitytounderstandtheproductsavailabletothem.
DatalimitsonSkymusterarecreatingaproblemformany.ForregionalandremoteAustralianstheAlliancerecommendsthatgovernment,educationandhealthservicesbeunmeteredtoallowequitableaccesstothesevitalservices.Forexamplewealreadyknowthatthecostassociatedwithalow‐incomeparentnotbeingabletoaffordacomputingdeviceandtheassociateddatafortheirchildhasalastingimpactonthatchild’seducation.10Thecostbenefitofprovidingunmeteredaccesstogovernment,educationandhealthservicesneedtobeexploredandunderstoodinfull.
Recommendation 7: That Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telco’s be encouraged/required to provide clarity in product promotion to reduce market confusion.
Recommendation 8: That key Australian, state and territory government services including access to government services as delivered through MyGov, education and health be unmetered to allow equitable access.
Digital Ability
VerylittlehasbeendoneinastrategicwaytoengagewithpeoplelivinginruralandremoteAustraliatofirstlyunderstandtheirdigitalabilityandsubsequentlytodevelopprogramstoimprovetheirskills.ThoseprogramsthathavebeeninoperationoverthepastfewyearshavenotmettheneedsofregionalAustralia111213.Theyhavelaidsomeusefulgroundworkbutareshort‐term;theyarenotenough.Theyarelimitedinresourcebase,targetedtospecificgroupsandlackanyoverallstrategicdirection.
10McLeish,K.(2016,December16).‘Queenslandschools’BYODprogramrisksleavingpoorerstudentsbehind,QTUsays’.ABCNews.11https://www.telstra.com.au/tech‐savvy‐seniors12https://www.beconnectednetwork.org.au/13https://www.godigi.org.au/
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Additionally,strategicthoughtneedstogointowhatdigitalabilityneedstolooklikeovertime.Learningneedstobeprojectorworkbased,embeddedinformaleducation,inclusive,responsivetocommunitywishes,and,whererelevant,buildonexistingprojectsorareasofinterest.AprogramlikeinDigiMOB14that’saboutimprovingdigitalinclusionforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleinremoteNorthernTerritoryisworthexploringasamodel.Itmakesavailableaflexiblesuiteoftechnical,trainingandinfrastructuresupportresourcesthatcommunitiesandorganisationscantakeadvantageof,accordingtotheirdiverseneedsandcontexts.
ToensuregovernmentservicesworkwellinremoteAustraliawerecommendthatgovernmentappsandservicesbedesignedwithpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliasothattheycanworkwithcongestion,costandcapacitychallengeshighlighted.
ThebarriersaredeeplychallengingforthemostdisadvantagedinregionalandremoteAustraliaandthesolutionsrequirelong‐termcommitmentinpartnership,aspreadofappropriateandaffordabletechnologiesandamultifacetedapproachtodevelopingdigitalcapability.WeencouragethegovernmenttoutiliseorganisationssuchasBIRRR15,TheAustralianDigitalInclusionAlliance(ADIA)andtheBroadbandfortheBushtoengagewithregionalcommunitiesinpartnershipwithTelco’sandgovernmentagenciestohelpbreakdownthosebarriers.
Recommendation 9 ‐ That Australian, state and territory government apps and services be appropriately designed to mitigate congestion, cost, and capacity challenges.
Recommendation 10 ‐ That the Australian government utilise organisations such as BIRRR, the Broadband for the Bush Alliance and the Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance to engage with regional and remote communities.
14https://irca.net.au/projects/indigimob15https://birrraus.com/
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2. Howarepeopleinregionalcommunitiescurrentlyusingtheirbroadbandserviceandhowmighttheyincreasethebenefitsofusingthistechnology?
Peopleinregionalcommunities,aswiththemetropolitanpopulations,arecurrentlyusingtheirbroadbandinanumberofways.HoweverdespitethegrowingnumberofpositivestorieswehavealongwaytogotofullyrealisethebenefitsthatbroadbandhastoofferregionalAustralia.
TohighlightonlyoneareathatoftelehealthinwhichconsultingbetweenGPsandspecialistswithpatientshasbecomeamorefrequentoccurrencethusallowingin‐homeandoncommunitybiometricmonitoringforchronicdisease16.ForexampleCSIROresearchshowedsavingsof24percentovertheyeartothehealthcaresystemmadethroughreductionsinthenumberandcostofGPvisits,specialistvisitsandprocedurescarriedout17.
ConsiderationneedstobegiventohowbroadbandcouldinfluencepopulationgrowthinregionalAustralia.Forexamplewithstudentsbeingabletostudyonlineopportunitiesexistforretentionofyouthinregionalareasandremotecommunities.Thepotentialforthistohaveanimpactinkeepingyouth“inandoncountry”hasaclearsocialbenefitwheretheimpactonlocaleconomiesisapositiveonerangingfromsupportinglocalworkforcetoallowingcommunitiestoregenerate.
KeytoincreasedbroadbandusageandrealizinggreaterbenefitsisensuringregionalandremoteAustralianshaveaffordableproducts.ItisthereforecriticalthatallgovernmentsworkwithinthesameframeworkandwerecommendthereforethatthroughCOAGtheAustraliangovernmentstakealeadershippositiontoensuredataisaffordableforregionalandremoteAustralians.
Recommendation 11 ‐ That through COAG the Australian government takes a leadership position to ensure data is affordable for regional and remote Australians.
16https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734598/17https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/BF/Areas/Digital‐health/Improving‐access/Home‐monitoring
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3. Whatdata‐intensiveactivitiesareoccurringinregional,ruralandremoteAustralia?Whatdigitaltechnologiesareneededforthese?
Therearealreadymanydata‐intensiveactivitiesoccurringinregional,ruralandremoteAustraliahoweverweshouldneverassumethatthedatathatisavailableisenough.Thisisespeciallythecaseaswemovetomoremobile,InternetofThings(IoT),andmorecloud‐basedapplications.
Theuseofcloud‐basedapplicationsispredictedtoboomwithanincreaseinvalueof15%from2017to2018toalmost$6.5billion,duemainlytotheboominsoftware‐as‐a‐serviceadoption.18Thereisclearlyachallengehereforregionalbusinessestokeeppacegiventhebroadbandaccessgapbetweenregionalandurbanandoftenthehigherdatacostsandassociatedlimitations.
Businessoperatorsrelymoreondatafromtheiroperationstobetterunderstandperformance,reliabilityandshortfalls,sothattheycanapplyimprovementsandrealisebetterproductivityoutcomes.Thereforethedigitaltechnologiesneededtobesuccessfulincludethosethatarehighspeed,lowlatency,lowcongestionandhaveunlimitedaccesstodataandvoicebandwidth.AdditionallytheyneedtobepricedinsuchawayastobeaffordableforallthoselivingandworkinginremoteAustraliaandtheyneedtobesupportedwithskillsdevelopmentprogramsandinsomecasesonlineandinsitusupport.
Theminingandagriculturalsectorsareoftenintheforefrontofdevelopmentsinpartbecausetheyhaveinvestedinhigh‐speedconnectivityrequiredtogrowtheirbusinesseswithintheglobalmarket19.
Health,governmentandeducationsectorsarebecomingmoredataintenseinparticularthroughtheneedtomoveandexchangeoflargedatafiles.Forexampleareassuchashealthareusingimageexchangeinradiologyandusingotherdataintensiveservicessuchasvideoconferencing,multisitelinkupsthroughutilitiessuchasZoomandSkypeonadailybasis.Inrelationtohealthoutcomesthereturnoninvestmentinaddressingtheshortfallinhealthoutcomethatcountrypeopleexperienceisfargreaterthanforpeopleinmetropolitanareasandthetechnologyincludingdataaccessneedstobetargetedtoaddressthis.
Wewouldanticipate5Gifrolledoutequitablyandaffordablywillcomplimenttheseoverthecomingdecadeaspartoftheoverallmixthatwouldsupportsuchthingsaslocalconnectivity,andthesensors,actuators,dataanalysisandvisualisationtoolsrelatedtotheInternetofThings(IoT).
Furtherresearchneedstobedoneaspartofadedicatedregionaltelecommunicationspolicy(RTPS)tohelpplanforfutureindustriesandbusinessesthatcouldbesuccessfullylocatedinregionalandremoteAustraliaandcriticaltothisisunderstandingofdataneedsandtrends.
18“TheGrowthoftheAustralianCloudComputingIndustry.”PenguinManagement(blog),November5,2017.https://www.penguinaccounts.com.au/inside‐australian‐cloud‐computing/.19McHugh,Babs.“The‘digitalMine’RevolutionIsHereasTechnologiesAccelerate.”Feature.ABCRural,August9,2017.http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017‐08‐09/the‐digital‐mine‐revolution‐underway‐now/8786194.
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Recommendation 12 ‐ That the Australian government commission further research to understand data needs and technology trends to help plan for future industries and businesses that could be successfully developed and/or re‐ located in regional and remote Australia.
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4. Howcanregionalbusinessesbetterutilisedigitaltechnologiestomaximiseeconomicbenefits?
Theopportunitiestomaximiseeconomicbenefitforregionalbusinessesisunquestionable.Weneedtocontinuebuildingthebackbone‐theinfrastructure,thebandwidth,thepipeneededtorealisethesebenefitsandweneedtohaveacohesiveandcomprehensiveunderstandingofthosebusinessopportunities.
Weareseeingmining,farming,environmentandtourismservicesjusttonameafewtakingadvantageoftheInternetofThings(IoT)applications,highspeedbroadbandandtheabilitytosharedataintoglobalmarkets.Theeconomicbenefitplaysoutinimprovementstomarketingreach,efficiencies,supplychaincontinuity,ordering,accountingaswellasmoreawarenessofwhatalreadyworks.Thishowevertendstobeconfinedtoindividualbusinessesandtheunderstandingofthebroaderbenefitsislimited.
WeseetheopportunityforaRTPStodevelopmorecommunicationacrossregionsviacoordinationnetworksandprogramsthatallowpeakbodiestosupportbusinessdigitalliteracytotheirmembersandstakeholders,e.g.RDA.
Themoretrustedsourceswehavethebetterablebusinesswouldbetotakeadvantageofdigitalforeconomicbenefit.
AspartofaproposeddedicatedremotetelecommunicationspolicywehighlighttheneedforanewrolloutoftheDigitalHubsincludingDigitalChampionstosupportinitiallydigitalenablementandindustry‐relatedawarenesswithlong‐termbenefitforalllocalcommunities.
Recommendation 13 ‐ That a new rollout of the Digital Hubs including Digital Champions to support initially digital enablement and industry‐related awareness with long‐term benefit for all local communities be funded and implemented.
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5. WhatcanbedonetoimproveaccesstoanduptakeoftelecommunicationsservicesinremoteIndigenouscommunities?
ThisreviewprovidesakeyopportunitytoaddressastructuralandskillsissuethatisimpactingontheabilityofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopletofirstly,engagewithInternetdeliveredservicesandresourcesthatenhanceemploymentandeducationalopportunitiesandsecondly,ensureaccesstogovernment(MyGov)servicesandsafetynets,especiallyinremoteareas.
IndigenousAustralianshavebeenrecognisedtohaveasignificantgapindigitalinclusioncomparedwiththebroaderAustralianpopulationwithintheDigitalInclusionIndex(14%gapbasedon2011ABSdata).ItiswellknownthatthisgapismuchgreaterforremoteIndigenousAustralians.
Atthepresenttime,averylargeproportionofsmalltomediumsizedremoteIndigenouscommunities(inthecategoriesformallydefinedasoutstation/homelandorminorcommunity)arereliantonasinglemeansoftelecommunicationsaccess,orhavenoaccessatall.Typically,whereprovidedthisisasinglepayphoneorcommunityphone,connectedtothePSTNviaHCRCmicrowavelinkorsatellitelinkrespectively.
Toquantifythis,theHomelandsReview(2015/2016data)foundthataround80%oftheapproximately400occupiedoutstations/homelandsintheNTi.e.320outstation/homelandsdidnothaveaccesstoreliablemobilecoverage,soallofthe320outstationsplusanumberofminorcommunities(populationbetween50and200approximately)withoutmobilecoverageareinthis‘singlemeansofaccess’category20.Intotalonly20%hadmobilecomparedtoapproximately81%ofthebroaderAustralianpopulation.AsimilarsituationexistsintheKimberleyandNorthQueensland.
Giventhisthefirstconsiderationshouldbetonotremoveexistingtelecommunicationssuchaspayphonesorcommunityphonesuntilareliableandwell‐provenfuturesolutionbefound.Apointtonoteinthiscontextisthatsatelliteconnectedservices,particularlyKaBandi.e.NBNSkymusteraresusceptibletorainfade,andcanthereforebeunavailableunderheavyrainfallconditionswhentheymaybemostneeded.
Thereiscurrentlyinadequatedatacollectiontomeasurethefullextentofthegapnationallyforindigenousdigitalinclusion.Withoutsuchdataandtargetedprogramstoaddressthegaps,FederalandStategovernmentswillneedtocontinuetodeliveressentialservicesfacetofacereducingsignificantlyanycostbenefitsthatcanbegainedfromdigital.
DigitalinclusionwillpromoteimprovementsinmostotherClosingtheGap(CTG)measures,includingeducation,health,socialinclusion,governance,compliancewithgovernmentregulationsandabilitytoparticipateinemploymentandeconomicimprovements.ChapterfiveoftheClosingtheGappolicyrelatestoeconomicdevelopmentandChaptersevenrelatestosocialinclusion.BothofthesekeyoutcomeswillbeimprovedbyaddressingDigitalInclusion.Theimportanceof
20TheNorthernTerritoryHomelandsandOutstationsAssetsandAccessReview(CAT,2016)www.icat.org.auCentreforAppropriateTechnology.AliceSprings.2016
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TelecommunicationsandInfrastructureunderpinstheDepartmentofPrimeMinisterandCabinet’sIndigenousAdvancementStrategy.
Inlinewiththisstrategyakeyrecommendationcomingfromthe2017IndigenousFocusDayandBroadbandfortheBushforuminPerthWAwastoseekthesupportofallAustralianGovernmentsthroughtheCouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG)toadoptdigitalinclusionasakeyperformancemeasurewithintheClosingtheGapframework.ItwasfurtherrecommendedthatatargetedIndigenousDigitalInclusionprogrambedevelopedandfullysupported.
TheIndigenousDigitalInclusionproposaladdressestheprovisionofappropriate,accessibleandaffordableInternetaccesstovitalonlinegovernmentservicessuchasMyGovinremoteAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities.Moregenerally,theproposaladdressestheopportunitiesprovidedbyInternetaccess,includingaccesstojobssites,educationalresources,onlinelearning,e‐commercesites,onlinebanking,andthepotentialforestablishingonlinebusinesses.
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TheIndigenousDigitalInclusionprogramproposalhassevencomponents:
1. DatacollectiontomeasurewhetherremoteAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitymembershavebroadbandavailabletothemwiththeminimalrequirementsintermsofaccess,availability,affordabilityanddigitalliteracyinordertoaccessonlineservices.
2. Prioritisationoftherolloutofbroadbandservices,includingmobilecoverage,toidentifiedremoteIndigenouscommunitiesthatdonothaveminimalcommunity‐wideonlineaccess.
3. ProvisionofpublicInternetaccesstotheidentifiedcommunitiesthroughcommunityWiFiandLTEsystems.
4. Implementationofunmeteredaccesstoallonlinegovernmentservices(includingMyGov),banking,education,employment,justiceandhealthservices.
5. Rolloutofaculturallyandlanguageappropriatedigitalliteracyprogramforremotecommunitymembers.
6. ACommunityDigitalMentorsprogramtoprovidemeaningfulcommunity‐basedjobsinremotecommunitiestosupportdigitalengagement,literacyandsupportviaapeer‐learningmodel.
7. Supportfortheuseofteleandvideoconferencinginlocalandcommunitygovernancefacilitatingextendedcommunity‐wideawarenessbuilding,accountabilityandconsultationprocesses
Criticalelementsofthisprogramarethattheyaretargeted,recurrentandsustainablei.e.notcapriciouslyallocated,aone‐offactivityforapressreleaseorbuilddependenciesthatareunsustainable.Strategiccontinuityandongoingdevelopmentofprogramsarecriticalfactorsintheirsuccess.Itisalsoimportantthatthereislocalownershipinallaspectsoftheprogramandbuildinguponthecapacityofexistingorganisations,infrastructureandprograms,avoidingduplicationofeffort.Aflexibleandlocallytargetedapproachismorelikelytoworkthataone‐size‐fits‐allmodel.
WeseethatthisreviewprovidesanopportunitytofurtherhighlightthisexcitingconceptthatprovidesameaningfulwayforwardforindigenousAustraliansandassuchwerecommendthatitbeincorporatedintotheproposedRTPS.
IfthegrowingdigitaldivideforIndigenousAustraliansisnotbeingaddressedthroughaholisticandtargeteddigitalinclusionstrategyassoonaspossible,itwillbecomeincreasinglydifficulttoachieve,riskingthecreationofaburgeoningdigitalunder‐class.Conversely,itisanareathatcanhaveverygoodoutcomesandflow‐onbenefitstootherCTGmeasuresasaresultoftargetedprogramsinthisarea.
Recommendation 14 ‐ That a targeted Indigenous Digital Inclusion program be developed with indigenous community guidance and be fully funded by the Australian government.
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6. Aretherepracticalexamplesofhowcommunicationsservicescanimprovethewell‐beingofpeopleinremoteIndigenouscommunities?
Thereareanumberofpracticalexamplesofhowcommunicationsservicesareimprovingthewell‐beingofpeopleinremoteIndigenouscommunitieshoweverthereisalongwaytogo.
SomeexamplesfromtherecentIndigenousFocusDayhighlighttheimportanceofactivitiesbeinglocallydrivenasitleadstoamuchgreaterchanceofsustainablesuccessandutiliseslocalassetsandcommunity.
1. DigitalInclusionMparntwe(AliceSprings)‐collaborativeprojectacross5towncampsfocussedoneducationandhealthcareandworkingwithaccessiblephoneboxesassomepeopledon’thavemobiles.EverytowncampneedsphonereceptionandInternetaccess,includingstaffingsupportsuchastheinDigiMOBDigitalMentors.
2. Tjuntjuntjuraprojects‐Marlpas(friendandcompanion)andMentors(inclusionworkers)workingtogether‐twowaylearningandthecreationofrelationships.Optussmallcellinstalledatroadhouse.CRCinTjuntjuntjurahascomputers,communityradio,transitorymigrationthatresultsinashiftingpopulationmakeupandsize(200‐2000).Arelationshipofcollectivesharingresultinginindividualsneedsbeingmet.Teachersthatarelocalandculturallyawareareutilised.
3. RemoteCommunityLibraryServices‐NTlibraryhas16librariesinremotecommunitiesrunbylocalcouncilsandfreeWiFiisbeingrunoutto46communitiestoenableaccesstolibraryresourceswhentheydon’thaveaphysicallibrary.Cloudbasedstorytellingandstorageandexpandingservicesavailabletoremotecommunities.
ModelssuchastheaforementionedinDigiMOBareworthlookingtoreplicateandlearnfromastheyallowcommunitiestodecidewhatisofvaluetothemindevelopingdigitalliteracy.Thisincreaseslocalownershipandgreatersustainabilityandimpact.
Wewouldalsosuggeststronglythatpolicyanddecisionmakersneedtospendalotmoretimeinandwithremoteindigenouscommunitiestounderstandwhatisneeded21,whatispossibleandwhatcanbedonetosupportthecommunitieswithtechnology.
21Corporation,AustralianBroadcasting.“Self‐DeterminationandRespectforRemoteIndigenousCommunitiesonBigIdeas.”
ABCRadio.AccessedJuly19,2018.http://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/perQmoo4MD?play=true.
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7. Whatskillsdopeopleneedtogetthemostfromtheirdigitaltechnologies,andwherecantheylearntheseskills?
PeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliarequiretoarangeofdigitalskillstogetthemostfromtheirdigitaltechnologies.Thekeyemergingskillrequiredisthatofproblemsolving.Learningisoftendevicerelatedorspecifictoonetechnologysotheabilitytolearnhowtothinkaroundandthroughaproblemiscritical.ThisskillcanbeappliedtobothhardwareanddeviceproblemsolvingthroughtounderstandinghowtoevaluateandcriticallyunderstandinformationontheWeb.
Learningdigitalskillsrequiresappropriate,easilyaccessibleandusableonlineresourcesinadditiontowell‐equippedcommunitylearningfacilities.Thisisanotherreasonwhybroadbandinregionalareasneedstobeaffordableandfast.
Importanttolearningsuccessisalsoanappreciationofthevaluepropositionputforwardbydigitali.e.(wayitwillchangetheirlife,workandwellbeing)andtheabilitytoadapttonewtoolsdevicesandapplications.Theneedexistsalsotoenhancedigitalandgeneraldigitalabilitybeyondthesimplestlevels.AstudyofdigitallearningcourseintheCityofMelbourneindicatedthatwellover70percentofcoursesavailablewereforover55yearoldsanddeemedtobeatbasicofintroductoryinlevel22.
Offlineprintresourcesareimportanttoreinforcelearningactivitiesaswellasincommunitymentoringthatorganisationssuchasmen’ssheds,women’ssheds,librariesandneighbourhoodhousescouldbeheavilyinvolvedin.TheopportunityexiststosetupdigitalengagementcentresorhubsacrossregionalAustralia.
Moreresourcesinparticularneedtogointolocallibrariestosupportdigitalliteracyskillsoveralongperiodoftime.Thenecessaryinfrastructureandservicesisalreadythere,staffing,buildings,mobilelibrariesandcomputersetc.andlibrariesarealreadydoingsomeofthisworkwithcommunities.
WeknowlittleaboutwhatdigitallearningisofferedwhereandwhatisrequiredinregionalandremoteAustraliaandthereforeneedtodevelopadigitalabilityroadmapaspartofabroaderdigitalabilityimprovementstrategyifwearetoachievemaximumbenefitovertime. Itisimportanttounderstandthatavarietyoflearningmethodsarerequiredthatareflexibleandnon‐prescriptivesoastomeetcommunityneeds.ItshouldidentifyandutiliselocalmentorsaswellasworkingcloselywithlocalcommunitiestounderstandtheneedsandthisisespeciallythecasewithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities.AssuchwerecommendaspartoftheRTPSastrategytoimprovethedigitalabilityofregionalandremoteAustraliansisrecommended.
Recommendation 15 ‐ That a digital ability improvement strategy be developed and implemented. Such strategy needs to reflect the variety of learning methods required to meet community needs and support existing infrastructure such as public libraries and community centres.
22Infoxchange[unpublished]2017
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8. Haveyouhadongoingissuesaffectingyoursatelliteorfixedwirelessbroadbandservice?Ifso,howhaveyouovercometheseissues?
NearlyhalfthecomplaintsreceivedbytheTelecommunicationsIndustryombudsmanlastyearidentifiedcustomerserviceasthekeyissue23.WenotealsothatanewreportfromACCAN24indicatesthatconsumersareunhappyatTelcocomplaintresolutionspeedsinparticular.Whilethereisnocomparisonineitherreportidentifyingurbanversusregionalcomplaintsandwhethertheyberegionalsatelliteorfixedwirelessitwouldbereasonabletoconcludethatissuesaffectingregionalandremoteconsumersarelikelytobeonthelowerendofthescale.
TheACCANreportindicatesthatittakesanaverageof13daysforcomplaintresolution,butforthosewithmoredifficultissuestimesblowoutto2months.Thequickestmethodofproblemresolutionisin‐storewhichgiventhegeographyofregionalAustraliathisislikelytobeacostlyandunderutilizedpathwayforregionalandremoteconsumersandagainpointstoregionalconsumersbeingdisadvantaged.
WenotetheworkofBetterInternetforRuralRegionalandRemoteAustralia25inparticularforsharinginformationtoassistindividuals’resolvealargerangeofproblemsassociatedtotelecommunications.IndoingsowebelievethisshouldbesupportedmuchmorestronglybyasignificantimprovementinsupportbyTelco’sastheneedthatsawBIRRRforminthefirstplaceindicatesamassivetechnicalsupportgap.
AsevidencedbyBIRRRandtheACCANreportcustomersarespendingdaystryingtosortoutstraightforwardthingslikechangingaplan,updatingcontactdetails,andgeneralaccountinquiriesandwebelievethatthisisnotacceptableforregionalandremotepeople.WeagreewiththeCEOofACCANinsayingthatit’stimetoshiftthebalancebacktoTelco’ssothatcustomersarenotcarryingsuchheavycoststomaintaintheiressentialtelecommunicationsservices.
“Poorcustomerservicebytheindustryshiftscostsfromproviderstotheircustomers,whoareexperiencinglossanddisruptionbyspendingfartoolongtryingtoresolveissues.”26
Recommendation 16 ‐ That an RTPS incorporate acceptable and continuously improving published KPIs for service delivery and product support for regional and remote Australia.
23https://www.tio.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/250911/Telecommunications‐Industry‐Ombudsman‐Annual‐Report‐2017.pdf
24“CANYOUHEARME?RankingtheCustomerServiceofAustralia’sPhoneandInternetCompanies.”ACCAN.AccessedJuly23,
2018.https://accan.org.au/our‐work/research/1523‐can‐you‐hear‐me‐ranking‐the‐customer‐service‐of‐australia‐s‐phone‐and‐
internet‐companies?highlight=WyJoZWFyIl0=.
25https://birrraus.com/
26https://www.itwire.com/business‐technology/83710‐telstra,‐optus‐get‐low‐ranking‐on‐consumer‐customer‐service‐scorecard.html
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9. IfyouareinanareawithaccesstotheSkyMustersatelliteserviceandyouhavenottakenitup,whynot?
WereferthecommitteetoourcolleaguesatBIRRRwhohaveextensivedetailinthisregard.
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10. Whateconomicorsocialindicatorscouldbeusedtoguideinvestmenttofurtherimprovemobilecoverage?
Thereareanumberofeconomicorsocialindicatorsthatcouldbeusedtoguideinvestmenttofurtherimprovemobilecoverage.TheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex(ADII)isanexcellentindicatortobeginwithhoweverinrelationtosomecohortsthedataneedstobetreatedwithcautionespeciallyforindigenouspopulations.Thequestioniswhichoneormixofindicatorsprovidesthebestdatatoinformdecision‐makingandwhichoneswitharevaluableovertime.
Iftheultimateoutcomeistodevelopastrongevidencebaseforfuturetechnologydirectionsandscalabilityoftechnologyinvestmentforecastfortheregionsthenadequatefundingsupportneedstobeinplacetooverseethedatacollectionanalysisanddistribution.Inthiscontextsomeofthedatapointsworthinvestigationcouldinclude:
LocalDigitalprofilingandbenchmarkingagainsturbanexperiencecomparingcommondatapoints
Existinginfrastructurewithinacommunity–trackingdatause,internetspeeds,trafficsizetimeofday,industryneeds‐ongoingandseasonaletc.
CurrentMBSPguidelines–Backhauldataanalyticsetc.
Population,sizeandnatureofpopulationse.g.students,businesses,andcommunitydemographics,travellerswithinaregion
Overtime,datasetslookingatinternetuseandfutureneed
Healthindicators–e.g.differentialinhealthoutcomeforATSIandruralandremotecommunities.
Digitalabilityandskillsdevelopment
Distancefromaregionalcentre=remoteness
Willingnesstoinvest‐co‐investmentmodels
Itisimportanttounderstandwhatdatapointsarevaluableandhowtheycanbemaintainedovertimesasnewdatapointsareboughtintothedigitalinclusionequationwillbeachallenge.Werecommendthatthegovernmentinvestindevelopingasetofsocialandeconomicmeasurestoguideinvestmentsinbetterbroadbandandmobilecoverageforcommunitybenefit.
Recommendation 17 ‐ That the Australian government commission the development of a set of social and economic measures to guide investments in better broadband and mobile coverage for community benefit.
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11. Isinformationreadilyavailableregardinghowtousedevicestoimprovemobilereceptioninareaswithpoorcoverage?E.g.informationaboutexternalantennaequipment?
Informationregardingdevicesandhowtoimprovereceptionisnotreadilyavailable.TherecentACCANreportintocustomercomplaintsgivessomeinsightintoservicelevelfailurebyTelco’s,whichweseeasanindicatorintoboththeavailability,andeaseofuseofconsumerinformation.
AnRTPSshouldlookathowinformationisgathered,keptcurrentanddisseminatedinsuchawayastoeasetheburdenforregionalconsumers.TheBIRRRFacebookpageforexampleworksasonegoodwayofsharingcurrentinformation.Thequestionastowhetherthegovernmentcouldfundasupportorhelpserviceinconcertwiththeseinitiativesneedstobeconsidered.
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12. Whatemergingdigitalserviceswillbeofmostbenefittoregionalbusinessesandwhatarethedataneedsoftheseservices?
TheAllianceseesalldigitalservicesasequallyimportanttothoselivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliaandworkneedstobedonetoensurethatthebenefitsareunderstoodandrealised.Thiswebelievecanbeaccomplishedwithintheframeworkofadedicatedregionaltelecommunicationspolicy.
Whilsttherearesomeemergingdigitalservicesthatneedtobesupportedwithincreaseddataandassociatedservicessuchashigh‐speedconnectivitytohigh‐specdatacentres,mobilecommunicationsforvoiceanddataremainthemostimportantissueforremoteandruralAustralians.CurrentlythereisaverylowpenetrationofmobilecoverageinremoteAustralia.Despitehighdemand,marketfailuremeansthatserviceproviderswillnotindependentlyinvestinfurthercoverageinremoteAustralia.
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13. WhatbroadbandservicesarepeopleusingotherthanthoseavailablethroughtheNBN?
Thereareamixoftechnologiessuchascellularmobilebroadband,NonNBNsatellite,ADSL,LocalWirelessnetworks,LTEprivatenetworksandpublicWiFitonameafew.ThequestionishowcanwereachallregionalandremoteAustralianswithadequate,affordableandubiquitouscoverageandhowdoemergingtechnologieslike5Gblendintothemix.WerecommendthatawiderangeoftechnologiessuitabletoregionalAustraliabesupportedbytheRTPSsoastoencouragecontinuousimprovementandinnovation.
Recommendation 18 ‐ That a wide range of technologies suitable to regional and remote Australia be supported by the RTPS to encourage continuous improvement and innovation including locally controlled data/telephony networks.
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14. HowcanmorecompetitionbeencouragedintheprovisionofbroadbandservicesinregionalAustralia?
CompetitionasthesingularmodelfortelecommunicationsinregionalAustraliawouldbehighlyunlikelytobesuccessfulgivenissuesofgeography,theactualnatureofthemarketandthelimitedsizeofthemarket.
ToensureequityofserviceprovisionforthoselivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliaandespeciallyforthosesubjecttoasuccessfulimplementationofthenewUniversalServiceGuaranteethegovernmenthasnochoicebuttointerveneinthemarket.
AdedicatedRTPSwillbeanimportantvehicletoprovideclarityaboutthenatureandlevelofgovernmentcommitment.Suchapolicyshouldtakeintoaccounttheleversforcompetitionandunderstandwhenandwheregovernmentneedstoinvesttoreducethechancesofmarketfailureanddeterminehowlongthatinvestmentshouldcontinue.WerecommendthatworkbecommissionedtodefinethemarketinterventionsrequiredtofostercompetitionwherefeasibleinregionalandruralAustralia.
Recommendation 19 ‐ That the Australian government urgently undertake work to define the necessary market interventions required to support competition where economically viable, in regional and rural Australia.
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Contacts
ApollineKohenForumandBroadbandfortheBushAllianceChairMobile: Email:[email protected]
DanielFeatherstoneIndigenousFocusDayGeneralManager,IndigenousRemoteCommunicationsAssociationMobile: Email:[email protected]