THE National Farmers’ Federation welcomes the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee (RTIRC) 2024 report and is calling for urgent action to address connectivity gaps at a time when frustrations at a high.
The review, which is handed down every three years, recommended a specific regional connectivity strategy and an upgrade to broadband networks in the face of aging landline services – as part of 14 recommendations.
NFF President David Jochinke said: “Frustration over rural connectivity is at boiling point, and the four-fold increase in engagement in the 2024 review proves that.”
“Systemic frustration with connectivity in rural areas has blown up following the 3G network shutdown.
“It’s the perfect storm for farmers at the moment – navigating mobile blackspots, changes to service quality and the loss of some coverage which wasn’t guaranteed post 3G shutdown while managing harvest logistics and bushfire season.
“It’s an incredibly busy and stressful time of year and throw connectivity issues into the mix and you have farmers fed up to the back teeth.”
The NFF is calling on the major providers to step up their efforts to address coverage concerns, but acknowledge they can’t act on problems if they aren’t reported.
“This is a two-way street. It’s on farmers to bring issues to the providers’ attention. But equally we are calling on the major providers to step up – get out in these communities and be proactive. We need to know that if farmers go out of their way to raise issues, they will get a timely explanation,” Mr Jochinke said.
The NFF is also calling for urgent public investment to accelerate regional connectivity outcomes.
“The time is now to supercharge this agenda. We recognise the Federal Government’s substantial investment in the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
“Supercharging initiatives like the Mobile Black Spot Program, the On-Farm Connectivity Program, Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program and the Regional Tech Hub will be critical coming into the next federal election.
“Telecommunications services are essential for farm safety, healthcare, education and productivity.
“Our rural communities need solutions and, frankly, we needed them yesterday.”
- View the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee here.
Source: NFF
NFF tell your members to buy starlink and get on with more important stuff than whinging about connectivity.
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Whilst we appreciate the commentary around mobile blackspots and future technology, the critical issue right now is for those now without a landline thanks to the 3g shutdown. The new 4g technology rolled out as purported “landlines” is absolutely rubbish. We have all 3 types and all are a failure. This isn’t about a few of us calling with a fault. Telstra has a universal service obligation that currently stands to provide a landline, they need to be called on it right now. Older technology like HRCS still exists and is still functioning, I get it is old and I get that they believe that they are going to come up with something better, but it works now, so we need to either, roll back to HRCS or roll back the 3g where it supported landlines until they find a workable alternative. The hardware is all still sitting here on farm. Yes we’ve all bought a Starlink as well, but cloud cover, weather & inevitable outages affect them. We have a legislated right to a landline, especially the piece of mind in an emergency situation. Telstra needs to be held to account.