BetterInternetforRural,Regional&RemoteAustralia

and

IsolatedChildren’sParents’AssociationofAustraliaInc.

Submission into the Regional Connectivity Program

September2019

Contact:(Mrs)KristySparrow Contact:(Mrs)KristenCoggan

Co-Founder&ChiefAdmin Admin

BIRRR BIRRR 935MaldenRoad Wallumba

ALPHAQLD4724 CONDAMINEQLD4416

birrraus@gmail.com kristen@icpafc.org.au

Phone:0429853482 Phone:0428452576

Contact:(Mrs)SuzanneWilson Contact:(Mrs)AlanaMoller

FederalSecretary FederalPresident

ICPA(Aust) ICPA(Aust) StarofHopeStation

122/8GardinerSt 5090PioneerRd

DARWINNT0800 CLERMONTQLD4721

FedSecretary@icpa.com.au FedPresident@icpa.com.au

Phone:0418830214 Phone:0749835353

Table of Contents

Submission into the Regional Connectivity Program ..........................................1

1.Background...................................................................................................................3

2.ResponsestoQuestions.................................................................................................4Question1:ArethereadditionalkeyelementsthatshouldbeincorporatedintothedesignoftheRegionalConnectivityProgram?..............................................................................................4Question2:Shouldotherparties,forexamplelocalgovernmentauthorities,businessorganisationsorindustrygroups,beallowedtoleadabidforRegionalConnectivityProgramfunding?.........................................................................................................................................4Question3:Arethereotherorganisationsbesidelocal,stateandterritorygovernmentsthatcouldbeconsidered‘trustedsourcesofinformation’forthepurposesofidentifyinglocaltelecommunicationspriorities?......................................................................................................6Question4......................................................................................................................................7AretherewaysthattheDepartmentcanfacilitatelinkagesbetweenpotentialinfrastructureprovidersandlocalcommunities?.................................................................................................7Question5:Arethereanycommentsthatyouwishtomakeinrelationtoco-contributions?.....7Question6:WhattypeofprojectsshouldbeconsideredforfundingthroughtheRegionalConnectivityProgram?...................................................................................................................7Question7......................................................................................................................................9ArethereanycommentsthatyouwishtomakeinrelationtheproposalthatallFundedSolutionswillprovideRetailServicesforaminimumof10yearsaftertheAssethasbecomeoperational?...................................................................................................................................9Question8....................................................................................................................................10ArethereanycommentsinrelationtotheproposedEligibleandIneligibleAreas?...................10Question9....................................................................................................................................10Arethereanycommentsthatyouwishtomakeinrelationtotheproposedeligibleandineligibleexpenditure?.................................................................................................................10Question10..................................................................................................................................10ArethereparticularcircumstanceswhereitmaybeappropriatefortheCommonwealthtomakesomecontributiontoongoingoperatingexpenses?..........................................................10Question11..................................................................................................................................10Isthereacaseforathirdcategory,forhighlylocalisedsolutionsforprojectsthat,forexample,areseekingfundingoflessthan$200,000(GSTinclusive)?.........................................................10Question12..................................................................................................................................11Arethereanyotherdesignprinciplesthatshouldbeconsidered?.............................................11Question13..................................................................................................................................11Doyouhaveanycommentsontheproposedassessmentcriteria?............................................11

Bibliography....................................................................................................................12

1. Background

TheBetterInternetforRegional,RuralandRemoteAustralia(BIRRR)alongwiththeIsolatedChildren’sParents’AssociationofAustralia,ICPA(Aust),welcometheopportunitytoprovidecommentintotheproposedcriteriafortheRegionalConnectivityProgram(RCP).BIRRR&ICPA(Aust)understandtheaimoftheRCPistoimprovedigitalconnectivityinregionalAustralia.WewouldliketotakethisopportunitytothanktheFederalgovernmentandthedepartmentfortheirworkinthisspaceandforthedevelopmentofaprogramthatoffersbespokesolutionstoregionalareasneedingimprovedtelecommunications.Itisessentialthatprogramssuchasthisarecontinuallyfundedandimplemented,toensureregionalAustralian’scanaccesscommunicationservicesthatmeettheirneeds.

BIRRRwasfoundedin2014duetoalackofinformation,advocacyandsupportforbushbroadbandconsumers,inparticular,thoserequiringequitabletelecommunicationsfortheirbusinessesandeducationoftheirchildren.Therearenowover11,000active,engagedBIRRRmembersfromeverystateandterritoryofAustralia.BIRRRareavolunteer-basedadvocacygroup,whooffersupport,independentadviceandnegotiateoften-confusingbushbroadbandconnectionsandissues.Wealsoadvocateforimprovedaccesstocommunicationsforrural,remoteandregional(RRR)Australians.Alongwithtroubleshootingissues,theBIRRRteamhasalsoundertakenextensivelarge-scaleresearchonregionaltelecommunicationneedsandproblems.

Rural,Regional&Remote(RRR)consumersareextremelyreliantoneffectivecommunications,duetothenatureoftheirgeographicallocation,andthisalsoheightenstheneedforeffectiverepresentation.BIRRRwelcomesgovernmentsupportandfundingforimprovementstoregionalconnections.

ICPA (Aust) is a voluntary parent body dedicated to ensuring all geographically isolatedstudentshaveequityofaccesstoacontinuingandappropriateeducation.Thisencompassestheeducationofchildrenfromearlychildhoodthroughtotertiary.ThememberfamiliesoftheassociationresideandworkinruralandremoteAustraliaandallshareacommongoalofachievingaccesstoeducationfortheirchildrenandtheprovisionofservicesrequiredtoachieve this. Many of our families live on isolated stations, great distances from theirnearestcommunitywiththeironlyaccesstoeducation,includingearlychildhoodeducation,beingviadistanceeducationprograms.

As a stakeholder group focused on gaining equity for families accessing education whilelivingandworkinginruralandremoteAustralia,ICPA(Aust)supportsanyinitiativeswhichmayimproveeducationalaccessandoutcomesforruralandremotestudents.

2. Responses to Questions

Question 1: Are there additional key elements that should be incorporated into the design of the Regional Connectivity Program?

BIRRR&ICPA(Aust)agreewiththefivekeyprinciplesandalsoemphasisethatRCPcriteriaforfundedapplicantsshouldincludeserviceperformanceandconsumerguaranteeparameters.

• GuaranteedservicespeedsaspertheStatutoryInfrastructureProvider(SIP)Scheme,undertheTelecommunicationsLegislationAmendment(CompetitionandConsumer)Bill2017(ParliamentofAustralia,2018),whereretailserviceswillneedtosupplypeakdownloadspeedsofatleast25Mbpsandapeakuploadspeedofatleast5Mbps.

• FundedapplicantsshouldensureaffordabilityisconsideredbyadheringtopricinganddatapackagesthatareaffordabletoRRRusers,withdataallowancesnotbeinglessthannbnSkyMustertoppeakdataplansandpricingbeinglesscostthannbnSkyMusterplans.

• Fundedapplicantsshouldensureinstallationcostsforendusersiskepttoaminimum.

Theabovecriteriawouldensurethatvalueformoneywasbeingachievedfromthegrantsprocess.TheRCPshouldaddressareasthathavebeenunderservedbynbn,allowingtheseconsumerstoaccessaconnectionthatisbetterthantheirexistingcommunicationsservice,andthisshouldnotcomeatanexcessivecosttotheenduser.

Question 2: Should other parties, for example local government authorities, business organisations or industry groups, be allowed to lead a bid for Regional Connectivity Program funding?

BIRRRandICPA(Aust)encouragetheDepartmenttoworkcollaborativelywithregionalcommunitiestoensuretheRCPmeetsthecommunicationneedsofeachlocation.TheRCPshouldaddressareasthathavebeenunderservedbynbnandforthistooccurcommunityengagementisessential.

Localgovernmentiswellplacedtobeabletodeterminetheneeds,limitationsandshortfallsofcommunicationserviceswithintheirjurisdiction.WebelievelocalgovernmentshouldbeabletousetheRegionalConnectivityCompetitiveGrantsProgramforbespokesolutionstoimproveconnectivityoptionsintheregions.AnexampleofthisistheBarcaldineRegionalCouncil,Queensland,whorecentlyinstalledaTelstra4GMobileSatelliteSmallCellinatourismhotspotwithnoconnectivity(BarcaldineRegionalCouncil,2019).LocalregionalcouncilscouldalsopartnerwithindependentWISP’s,byofferingco-contributionfundingtoimprovethecommunicationsservicesintheirshires.ThiswouldboosttheRCPandallowfurthercoverage.However,notalllocalgovernmentareasaresupportiveofimprovedcommunicationsinfrastructureandassuchlocalgovernmentaloneshouldnotbean

exclusivestakeholder.IsaacRegionalCouncil(IRC)recentlystateddevelopmentapplicationfeesof$24,000wouldapplytoTelstrafortheconstructionofasmallcellonprivatepropertyatMistakeCreekStateSchool(Charles,2019),CentralQueensland.Whilstotherregionalcouncilsareleadingbidsforimprovedconnectivityfunding,IRCseemstobeconstrictingserviceimprovements.

Lake Dunn Co-Funded Small Cell (Barcaldine Regional Council, 2019)

Business,industryandcommunitygroupsshouldalsobeconsideredaseligiblepartiesforthegrantsprocess.Bothbusinessesandcommunity/industrygroupscanoffersignificantco-contributionsandpartnerwithtelecommunicationproviderstoensureneedsbasedcommunicationservicesareapriority.Forexample,Round1oftheMobileBlackspotProgram(MBSP)sawmobileblackspotsaddressedusingco-contributionsfrombusinessessuchasJemalongIrrigationLtdinNSWandCalliope&DistrictsEnterprisesLtdinQueensland.Localcommunitygroupsalsoco-contributedfundsforplace-basedsolutions,withCalliopeRodeoAssociationcontributing$80,000forabasestationatUbobo.InRound2oftheMBSPprogramanadditional$475,000wasprovidedbylocalgovernment,businessandcommunitygroups(BIRRR,2015).Therehavealsorecentlybeenexamplesofindustrygroupsworkingtogethertosecuretelecommunicationsolutionsfortheirspecificarea.TheStirlingstoCoastGrowerGroupinWesternAustraliastruckupaprivatepartnershipwithacommunicationscompanytoconnectpropertiestothenbnfibreopticnetworkthoughabasestationinatownnorthofAlbany.Fundedinpartbya$277,500grantfromtheWesternAustralianGovernment,thepilotprojectaimstoconnect50farmswithina100

kilometreradius,withapossibilitytoextendtheconnectionsifit'sproventowork(Mochan&Bennett,2019).TheRCPshouldbuildonthesuccessofpilotprojectssuchasthese.

Webelievethatencouragingbusiness,industryandcommunitygroupsandlocalgovernmentco-contributionswillenablemorelocalitiestobeabletoaccessplace-basedtelecommunicationssolutionsandincreasethenumberofprojectsabletobefundedundertheRCP.

Question 3: Are there other organisations beside local, state and territory governments that could be considered ‘trusted sources of information’ for the purposes of identifying local telecommunications priorities?

OrganisationssuchasBIRRR,ICPA(Aust),CountryWomen’sAssociationandothergroupswhoformulatetheRural,RegionalandRemoteCommunicationsCoalition(RRRCC)shouldbeconsultedinregardstoprioritisingtheinvestmentandhowthiscanbebestachieved.Additionally,specificareasmayalreadyhavestakeholdergroupsandorganisationsinplacethatcanassistinprovidingfurtherinformation,suchasRemoteAreaPlanningandDevelopmentBoard(RAPAD)inCentralWesternQueensland,CentralHighlandsRegionalResourcesUsePlanningCooperativeLimited(CHRRUP)inCentralQueensland,WesternAustralia‘GrowerGroups’andotherplace-basedsupportgroupsandorganisations.Those‘ontheground’inregionalareasarewellplacedtoidentifylocaltelecommunicationpriorities.

RRRCC Member Organisations

Question 4

Are there ways that the Department can facilitate linkages between potential infrastructure providers and local communities?

AmapofregionalbackhaulavailabilityAustraliawidewouldgreatlyassistinfrastructureproviders,enablingthemtoeasilyaccessavailablebackhaulandthusdetermineifimprovedcommunicationsinfrastructurecanbeprovidedtoregionalcommunities.TheDepartmentmaybeabletofindinstanceswherethishasalreadyoccurredforexampletheWADigitalInfrastructureAtlas.TheAtlasillustratesallkeytelecommunicationsinfrastructuresuchasthetelephoneexchanges,darkfibresandradio-communicationsitesaroundWesternAustralia(DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries&RegionalDevelopment,2019).Someregionalcouncilshavealsoundertakendigitalandcommunicationauditswhichcouldbeusedasastartingpointforcommunitiesandunderstandingtheirneedsandcurrentlimitations.Asanexample,theCentralHighlandsRegionalCouncilQueenslandDigitalandCommunicationAudit(GravelroadConsulting,2017).

Toenablesmallerinfrastructureprovidersinapplyingforfunding,weencouragetheDepartmenttoconsidercollectivemethodsofreducingapplicationcostsandenablinglocalcommunityengagementinthefundingprocess.CollaborativeprocessesbetweenallstakeholdersaremorelikelytoachievetheaimsoftheRCPandwillincreasethelikelihoodofdeliveringmoreeffectiveoutcomes.

Question 5: Are there any comments that you wish to make in relation to co-contributions?

BIRRRandICPA(Aust)concurthata50%co-contributionshouldbeapplicabletofundedapplicants.Thiswillensurethebusinesscommitmentoftheprovider.

TheRCPshouldalsohavetheabilitytoenablemultipleco-contributionstomakeupthe50percentofprojectcostse.g.localgovernmentplusseveralcommunityorganisationsmaymakeuponeprojectorseveralindustrygroupsmayco-contributetogethertofundtheproject.Stategovernmentsshouldalsobeencouragedtoco-contributetoprojects.TheDepartmentshouldensurethatfundingisdirectedtoareasthatdemonstratethegreatestneed.

Question 6: What type of projects should be considered for funding through the Regional Connectivity Program?

TheemphasisoftheRCPison‘eligibleareas’definedasthosecurrentlymappedtoreceivenbnSkyMustertechnology.AcrossAustraliathereareasignificantnumberofregionaltownsthataremappedfornbnSkyMusterthatarecurrentlyusinglegacyADSLtechnology.Manyoftheseresidentsareunclearastothefutureoftheseservices,withnoupgradetothetechnologyplannedforthefuturethatwouldensurecomparableorenhancedcommunicationservices.nbnhasunderservedthesecommunities,asnbnSkyMusterdeliverslessdataatincreasedpricesandwithamuchhigherlatencywhencomparedtolegacyADSLservices.Additionally,voiceservicesonnbnSkyMusterareonlyavailablevia

VOiP,whichcanbeunreliableandpronetoissues.SeeBIRRR2017SubmissiontotheProductivityCommissionforissueswithVOiPovernbnSkyMuster(BIRRR,2017).

TheRCPshouldplaceapriorityemphasisontheseareasundertheprogram,withfundingbeingusedtodeliverplace-basedsolutionstounderservedareas.TheDepartmentshouldworkwithcommunitiesandinfrastructureproviderstoensurefundingwillmeettheneedsofthecommunity.Thesesolutionscouldinclude,butarenotlimitedtothefollowingtechnologies:

• Mobiletowersandsmallcells(althoughthiswouldbebetteraddressedthroughtheMBSPprogramifsubsequentroundsaddressedsomeofthesamecriteriaastheRCPe.g.place–basedsolutionsforlocalcouncils,community/industrygroups)forareassuchascommunitymeetingplaces,remotetouristhotspots.

• IndependentWirelessInternetServiceProviders(WISP’s)inregionaltownsandareascurrentlymappedfornbnSkyMuster.

• UpgradingADSLservicestonbnfixedlineorfibreinnbnSkyMustermappedareas.• nbnFixedWirelessinareaswithlargernumbersofresidencesmappedfornbnSky

Mustere.g.ontheoutskirtsoflargeregionaltowns.

ThereisaneedforamapofindependentWISP’sforregionalareas,tohighlightareasalreadyservedandgapsinservices.WeencouragetheDepartmenttoworkwithestablishedWISP’stoensurethecriteriaoftheRCPenablesthemtoaccessfunding.BIRRRhasannbnalternativefixedwireless/independentWISPprovidermap,howeverthisisnotcomprehensiveandreliesontheWISP’stokeeptheirservicesupdatedwithBIRRR,additionallynotallWISP’sareawareofBIRRR.Themapisconstantlyupdatedandaliveversioncanbeviewedhere:http://www.zeemaps.com/pub?group=2307253

BIRRR WISP’s Map (BIRRR, 2019)

Question 7

Are there any comments that you wish to make in relation the proposal that all Funded Solutions will provide Retail Services for a minimum of 10 years after the Asset has become operational?

Thiscriteriaiswelcomed,especiallyconsideringtherecentclosureofindependentWISPcompaniesduetoliquidation.BIRRRhashadanumberofmembersthatwereadverselyaffectedduetocarriersgoingoutofbusiness.

RedWiFi,basedintheDarlingDownsregionofQueenslandceasedoperationinSeptember2017(Arboleda,RegionaltelcoRedWifiblamesNBNcosts,lowmarginsforinsolvency,2018)andSouthWesternWirelessCommunications(providingservicestoregionalcommunitiesinNSWandQLD)wentintoadministrationinMarch2018(Arboleda,FundingwoesledtodownfallofSouthWesternWirelessCommunications,2018).AdditionallyAussieBroadbandmadeamanagementdecisiontoceaseoperatingtheirindependentfixedwirelesstowersinVictoriaandSouthAustralia,leavingmanyregionaluserswhousedthesetowerswithnoalternativethannbnSkyMustersatellite.Fundedsolutionsshouldbeabletoclearlydemonstratetheyhavethefinancialmeansandmanagementskillstoinstallandprovideservicesforaminimumof10yearsaftertheassethasbecomeoperational,aswellastheadditionalcriteriasuggestedinQuestion1ofthissubmission.

Question 8

Are there any comments in relation to the proposed Eligible and Ineligible Areas?

BIRRRandICPA(Aust)believepriorityshouldbegiventothefollowingareas,afterathoroughinvestigationhasoccurredthatensurestheservicemeetstheneedofthecommunity,withnoexistingplaninplaceforfuturecommunicationsinfrastructureimprovements:

1. SmallcommunitiesmappedfornbnSkyMusterandcurrentlyalsoabletoaccessADSL(ietheyhavebeenunderservedbynbnandwillplaceanunnecessaryloadonSkyMusteriftheirADSLdeterioratesfurther/isceased)

2. SmallcommunitiesmappedfornbnSkyMusterandcurrentlyaccessingADSL2(ietheyhavebeenunderservedbynbnandwillplaceanunnecessaryloadonSkyMusteriftheirADSLdeterioratesfurther/isceased)

3. RegionaltownswithnbnfixedlinetothetowncentreandwithalargenumberofresidencesontheoutskirtsmappedfornbnSkyMuster,whowouldbebetterservedbynbnoralternatefixedwirelessservices.

4. Communitymeetingplacesthathavenoconnectivityoptionssuchascampgrounds,tourismhotspots,meetingplacesofcommunitygroupsinremotelocations.

Question 9

Are there any comments that you wish to make in relation to the proposed eligible and ineligible expenditure?

Weagreewiththeproposedeligibleandineligibleexpenditurecriteria.

Question 10

Are there particular circumstances where it may be appropriate for the Commonwealth to make some contribution to ongoing operating expenses? N/A

Question 11

Is there a case for a third category, for highly localised solutions for projects that, for example, are seeking funding of less than $200,000 (GST inclusive)?

Thiscategorywouldbeawelcomeadditiontotheprogram.Fundingoflessthan$200,000couldbeusedformobilesmallcellinstallationsorforboostingthesignalofanexistingtechnology.Thiscategoryshouldhavereducedcriteriatoaccessfunding,toensurefundingisdirectedtotheprojectratherthantheapplicationprocess.

Question 12

Are there any other design principles that should be considered?

N/A

Question 13

Do you have any comments on the proposed assessment criteria?

N/A

Bibliography

Arboleda,N.(2018,April26).FundingwoesledtodownfallofSouthWesternWirelessCommunications.RetrievedSeptember7,2019fromCONNECTINGTHEAUSTRALIANCHANNEL:https://www.crn.com.au/news/funding-woes-led-to-downfall-of-failed-modular-data-centre-operator-south-western-wireless-communications-489506

Arboleda,N.(2018,July17).RegionaltelcoRedWifiblamesNBNcosts,lowmarginsforinsolvency.RetrievedSeptember6,2019fromCONNECTINGTHEAUSTRALIANCHANNEL:https://www.crn.com.au/news/regional-telco-red-wifi-blames-nbn-costs-low-margins-for-insolvency-498361

BarcaldineRegionalCouncil.(2019,August14).GalileeGazette.RetrievedSeptember9,2019fromBarcaldineRegionalCouncil:https://www.barcaldinerc.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/1028/galilee-gazette-wednesday-14-august-2019

BIRRR.(2019,September6).IndependantWISPMap.RetrievedSeptember8,2019fromZeeMaps:http://www.zeemaps.com/pub?group=2307253

BIRRR.(2015,December4).MobileBlackspotprogramInformation.RetrievedSeptember8,2019fromBetterInternetforRuralregional&RemoteAustralia:https://birrraus.com/2015/12/04/mobile-blackspot-program-information/

BIRRR.(2017,February).USOSubmission.RetrievedSeptember8,2019fromBetterInternetforRuralRegional&RemoteAustralia:https://birrraus.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/birrr-draft-uso-submission-publicsm1.pdf

Charles,C.(2019,August28).Councillortakesstandondiscountfortelco.RetrievedSeptember9,2019fromDailyMecury:https://www.pressreader.com/australia/daily-mercury/20190828/281552292523813

DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries&RegionalDevelopment.(2019,June10).DigitalInfrastructureAtlas.RetrievedSeptember7,2019fromGovernmentofWADepartmentofPrimaryIndustries&RegionalDevelopment:https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/digitalinfrastructureatlas

GravelroadConsulting.(2017,July).CentralHighlandsDigitalandCommunicationsAudit.RetrievedSeptember7,2019fromCentralHighlandsDevelopmentCorporation:https://chdc.com.au/mining-energy/digital-and-communications-audit

Mochan,K.,&Bennett,M.(2019,March18).WAfarmersfedupwithslowinternetbuildtheirownnetwork.RetrievedSeptember6,2019fromABC:https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-03-17/farmers-build-own-internet-network/10909040

ParliamentofAustralia.(2018).TelecommunicationsLegislationAmendment(CompetitionandConsumer)Bill2018.RetrievedSeptember9,2019fromParliamentofAustralia:https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5923