UPDATED: Regional telecommunications under review
A Gippsland consultation date has been added to the schedule, between 10am and midday on Friday, August 20.
UPDATED: AUGUST 12, 2021. GIPPSLAND ONLINE CONSULTATION ADDED
An independent committee has reviewed the state of telecommunications in regional areas.
An issue paper has been released, along with a schedule of online public meetings (due to Covid restrictions) is already underway.
A Gippsland consultation date has now been added to the schedule, between 10am and midday on Friday, August 20, with online registrations now open.
The review is a chance for people to state their views and experiences with telecommunication services in regional, rural and remote areas.
Key issues outlined in the paper include the changing demand for services in regional areas, inadequate mobile coverage, provision of broadband services (including fixed wireless and satellite networks) and providing standard telephone services.
The reliability of fixed-line, mobile and satellite networks was examined, particularly their importance during times of need, such as Covid lockdowns, or natural disasters. The review also looked at the impact on businesses, their ability to communication with customers and process payments and how much service reliability issues impact on regional communities and businesses.
Some of the key questions include what can be done to ensure greater reliability and what insights can be gained from changes that have arisen from the Covid pandemic response.
The review is also asking how investing in telecommunications can work with other programs and policies to encourage economic development in regional areas, and what new technologies could be used to solve the telecommunication issues faced in rural and regional Australia.
Bass Coast Shire Council CEO, Ali Wastie said council was considering a submission.
“We will continue to meet with Ministers and industry representatives in relation to Digital Connectivity and Regional Telecommunications and their impact on our community,” Ms Wastie said.
Chair of the Committee, the Hon Luke Hartsuyker, said the Review, which occurs once every three years, helps set the Australian Government’s regional telecommunications agenda for coming years.
“Telecommunications is at the core of everything we do – from the way we interact socially, to the work we do, to using critical services like telehealth and education, accessing government information, and contacting emergency services,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“This has only been underlined for us by COVID and recent bushfires, floods and cyclones.
Mr Hartsuyker said the Issues Paper sets out key areas of interest for the Review.
“First and foremost is the adequacy of the telecommunications services people in regional, rural and remote Australia use on a day-to-day basis,” Mr Hartsuyker said.
“We’re also focussing on the impact of Government policies and programs, insights from COVID-19, emerging technologies, service reliability, regional development, co-ordination between tiers of government and the quality of consumer information.”
The Issues Paper, consultation dates, and details on how to make a submission can be found at www.rtirc.gov.au. Written submissions should be lodged by Thursday, September 30.
For the full consultation schedule go to www.communications.gov.au/have-your-say/2021-regional-telecommunications-review
