Broadband for the Bush

Presenter: John Huigen, CEO, Desert Knowledge Australia

SPARSE POPULATION:Sparse, mobile and patchy

human population

SOCIAL UNCERTAINTY:Unpredictability in or lack of control

over markets, labour, policy

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE:Limited research, local/tradit -

ional knowledge more important

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES: Particular types of people, cultures and institutions

REMOTENESS:Distant markets, business,

political centres, mental models

LIMITED LIVELIHOODS:Lack of diverse small business

and livelihood options

SCARCE CAPITAL:Low levels of financial, physical

and human investment

UNPREDICTABLE CLIMATE:Variability and extremes in primary

drivers (rainfall, other weather)

SCARCE RESOURCES:Patchy natural resources and widespread low soil fertility

SPARSE POPULATION:Sparse, mobile and patchy

human population

SOCIAL UNCERTAINTY:Unpredictability in or lack of control

over markets, labour, policy

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE:Limited research, local/tradit -

ional knowledge more important

CULTURAL DIFFERENCES: Particular types of people, cultures and institutions

REMOTENESS:Distant markets, business,

political centres, mental models

LIMITED LIVELIHOODS:Lack of diverse small business

and livelihood options

SCARCE CAPITAL:Low levels of financial, physical

and human investment

UNPREDICTABLE CLIMATE:Variability and extremes in primary

drivers (rainfall, other weather)

SCARCE RESOURCES:Patchy natural resources and widespread low soil fertility

Poverty

Indigenous

Policy variability & uncertainty

Desert Syndrome

Stafford Smith & Huigen (2009) [Desert Knowledge CRC

Science of Desert Living project]

The value of connectivityin a digital era

• Participation in the digital economy– Productivity gains – Cost Benefits

• Social inclusion

NBN AnalysisCost : $36.5b + Telstra dealCoverage:• 93% > Fibre to the home• 7% > Fixed Wireless

& Satellite

NBN AnalysisCost : $36.5b + Telstra dealCoverage:• 93% > Fibre to the home• 7% > Fixed Wireless

& Satellite

NBN AnalysisCost : $36.5b + Telstra dealCoverage:• 93% > Fibre to the home• 7% > Fixed Wireless

& Satellite

Two speed economy

• Digital divide• Broadband is like rainfall

– The amount you get largelydetermines what will grow

Impacts of Digital Divide

graphic : www.nbnco.com.au

• Digital divide will exacerbateexisting poverty cycle

• Opportunity cost toproducers & community

Impacts of Digital Divide

Examples…• Limited capacity to embrace

eHealth, e Learning, eGov

• Limited capacity to embraceeCommerce & Smart Technology

Impacts of Digital Divide

Further barriers to entry

• Affordability• Availability• Awareness• Accessibility• Timing

What can be done?

• Making the case• Use existing technologies• Support emerging technology

Making the Case

• Remote Telecommunications Review• ACCAN Review• NBN rollout blueprint

Existing TechnologiesAddressing small settlements

• Link communities to hub sites via fibre or microwave

• Use infrastructure as backhaul for mobile / fixed telephony & network

• Last mile options– ADSL– Shared wifi or Wimax– 3G (& 4G...) mobile telephony– Community access ICT facilities

Emerging Technologies

• Digital switchover in 2013 leaves analogue spectrum free for reallocation.– CSIRO’s Ngara - impressive field trials

• NintiOne SAND technology

Conclusions

• The bush would particularly benefit from superfast broadband• Lack of certainty is damaging• Opportunity to pressure for a better deal• Opportunity for emerging technologies

to significantly improve bandwidth &accessibility

• Digital literacy & other barriers need to be addressed

Questions?

• Next steps……..