It’s about time the federal government went all out on improving mobile and data services in rural communities.
The VFF has been urging the government to push more resources into initiatives such as the Mobile Black Spot Program as a way of bridging the digital divide that’s still separating urban and rural communities.
The Productivity Commission this week echoed our calls in its draft report into the Universal Service Obligation (USO), a $297 million a year plan that ensures a standard telephone service is available to all Australians wherever they live.
The USO – which isn’t due to expire until 2032 – funds a voice service predominately provided over Telstra’s copper network and public payphones. Evidently, the USO is outdated and doesn’t reflect the reliance of households and businesses on data and mobile voice services. Take, for instance, the $44 million spent annually on payphone maintenance. That’s only $4 million less than the government allocates to the Black Spot Program, an initiative that builds and upgrades vital telecommunications infrastructure, connecting rural communities.
Statistics from the Australian Communications and Media Authority show 93 per cent of Australians use mobile phones. Compared with the fact that only 17,511 payphones are still scattered across the country, it becomes even more astonishing just how much money is being funnelled into their maintenance. Ask most Australians when they last used a payphone and they’d struggle to recall. There’s probably a whole generation that’s never used one.
Living and working in a fast-paced, technology-driven world, it is frustrating that so many in our rural communities are struggling to even send a text message.
Rural homes and businesses face unique challenges due to their distance from common services. Connectivity is vital for attracting and retaining people in thriving rural communities – to improve education and health services, to ensure farm safety and to maintain social networks in often isolated environments.
The government would do well to study the recommendations of the commission and commit to improving telecommunications infrastructure for the long-term.
Our rural and remote communities have been ringing out for improved communication services. Until now, the government hasn’t heard the call. Perhaps Capital Hill is a blackspot?
Brett Hosking, VFF vice-president
