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BroadbandfortheBushAllianceP.O.Box8500AlicespringsNT0871ABN81609859378

MrSeanEdwardsChairRegionalTelecommunicationsReviewDepartmentofCommunicationsandtheArtsGPOBox2154Canberra,ACT,2601

RE: 2018 Review of Regional Telecommunications in Australia – Submission from the Broadband for the Bush Alliance 

DearChair

OnbehalfoftheBroadbandfortheBushAllianceIwouldliketothankyouandmembersoftheCommitteeforattendingandpresentinganoutlineofthereviewatourrecentForuminDarwin.TheannualForumisanimportantongoingnationalconversationvaluabletoinformingpolicyforpeoplelivingandworkinginremoteAustralia.WetrustyougainedmuchfrombeingpartoftheForum.

WearepleasedtocontributetothistimelyreviewofRegionalTelecommunicationsinAustralia.Theattachedresponsewasdraftedinconsultationwithourmembersandstakeholders,commencingwiththe“WorldCafé”sessionattheDarwinForumwhichsomeofyourCommitteeattended.DatagatheredfromtheForumwascomplimentedbyanonlinesurveyandanumberofdirectengagementswithB4BAmembers.AssuchthisresponsereflectsthecollectiveviewoftheAlliance.

AboutTheBroadbandfortheBushAlliance

TheBroadbandfortheBushAllianceisanationalnot‐for‐profitthatseekstoadvancethedigitalcapacityandcapabilityofpeoplewholiveandworkinremoteAustraliathroughaccesstobetterbroadbandservicesandincreaseddigitalinclusion.

TheAllianceisthetrustedandunitedvoiceforregionalandremoteAustralians,whichbringstogetherarangeofstakeholderswithexpertiseincommunications,remoteservicedelivery,andcommunityengagement.

Ourvisionisto:

Toinfluenceandinformpolicymakersandserviceprovidersaboutthespecificcommunicationneedsofremoteandruralpeople;and

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ToengagepeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliatoinform,buildawarenessandshareknowledgearoundDigitalInclusion1.

Sinceitsestablishmentin2012,theAlliancehascontributedsignificantlytomanydevelopmentsinregionaltelecommunications.AchievementstodateoftheAllianceinclude:

AdvocatingfordigitalinclusioninremoteAustralia,notablythepushfordigitalinclusionasa“ClosingTheGap”indicatorforallgovernments2

InformingandsupportingtheNBNSkymusterrolloutandPublicInterestPremisesStrategy

InformingtheexpansionofWi‐Fiservicesinremotecommunitiesandhomelands

Informingco‐investmentprogramsthathaveledtomoremobilecoverageincludingaffordablepre‐paidplans

InformingthereviewoftheUniversalServiceObligation(USO)andcontributingtodevelopmentoftheproposedUniversalServicesGuarantee(USG)

AttheDarwinForumtherewasarecognitionthattheconnectivityagendahasprogressedandarenewedcalltoshiftthefocustoincreasingthedeliveryofeffectivedigitalskillsforregionalandremoteAustralia.HowthiswillbedonetoprovideoptimumbenefitforpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustralianeedstobeakeyconsiderationtoanypolicydirectionarisingoutofthe2018Review.

WerecommendthatinordertoaddressthechallengesinregionaltelecommunicationsadedicatedRemoteTelecommunicationsPolicyandStrategy(RTPS)bedevelopedandimplementedasamatterofpriority.Thissubmissionoutlinesanumberofkeyrecommendationsthatwebelieveshouldformpartofthatpolicyandstrategy.

Inclosingthankyouagainfortheopportunitytosubmittothereview.TheAllianceisverysupportiveofthereviewandwelookforwardtoseeingarangeofpositiveoutcomesimplementedinregionalandremoteAustraliaoverthecomingyears.

Yourstruly,

1“Thegoalofdigitalinclusionistoenableeveryonetoaccessandusedigitaltechnologieseffectively.ItgoesbeyondsimplyowningacomputerorhavingaccesstoasmaRTPShone.Atitsheart,digitalinclusionisaboutsocialandeconomicparticipation:usingonlineandmobiletechnologiestoimproveskills,enhancequalityoflife,educate,andpromotewellbeingacrossthewholeofsociety.”

2http://broadbandforthebush.com.au/wp‐content/uploads/2018/01/Letter‐to‐NT‐CM_Digital‐Inclusion‐as‐Closing‐the‐Gap‐indicator_20170803_....pdf

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ApollineKohenChairBroadbandfortheBushAlliance

 

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Response to Regional Telecommunications Review 2018 Broadband for the Bush Alliance June 2018 

Executive Summary  

AsaccesstotheInternetimproves,theAllianceseesanincreasingneedfortargetedinvestmentindigitalinclusionprograms,especiallyforIndigenousandremotecommunities,publicadministration,participatorydemocracyandbusinesses.Additionally,theabilityforthoseinregionalandremoteareastoaffordthenecessaryaccessisofvitalimportanceifthecurrentinvestmentsintelecommunicationsaretobefullyrealized.

WecontendthattheseconsiderationsandthoseidentifiedinthefollowingresponseshouldformthecoreofadedicatedRemoteTelecommunicationsPolicyandStrategy(RTPS).

Weseetheneedforsuchapolicyasparamountandurgethatitbedevelopedasamatterofpriority,andrecognizethatthe“Onesizefitsall”modeloftheNBNdoesnotnecessarilymeetthemanydifferentanduniqueneedsandconditionsofpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustralia.AcomprehensiveRTPSneedstoaddressthethreepillarsofdigitalinclusionbeingAccess,AffordabilityandDigitalAbilityandshouldencompass:

Accessandequity‐Incorporatingaffordabilityissues;anexpandedUniversalServiceGuarantee(USG)aswellasarangeofrelevantandappropriateaccessmodelssupportinglocalinnovationandcapacity;

Capabilityforall‐Improvingdigitalliteracywithaviewtothefutureuseoftechnologyaswellastheintroductoryandbasiclevels.Alsodevelopingdigitalbusinessskillswhileunderstandingandutilisingthemanywaysinwhichdigitallearningtakesplaceinthecommunity;

ExpansionofmobilecoverageandeffectiveLastMilesolutions–anongoingneedthatrequiresavisionaryroadmapcreatinghigherlevelsofcertaintyandinnovation;

Infrastructure‐Developingflexibleandappropriateinfrastructuresolutions,includingrationaluseofexistinginfrastructurewithcheaperaccesstomoredata;and

Partnershipapproach‐successfuldevelopmentoftheRTPScanonlybeaccomplishedwithGovernments,Industryandcommunityworkingtogether.

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Thisrequiresarobustcommunicationandpartnerengagementstrategythatsharesthesamevisionforthefuture.

WhatisrequiredisanRTPSthatisbackedbystronggovernmentinvestmentbothindollarsandprinciplesoffairnessandequity.Werecommendthat,asapriority,workbecommissionedtofullyunderstandtheappropriatelevelofinvestmentgovernmentshouldconsidertoensuresuccessfulpolicyoutcomes.

TheAlliancerecommendsthatRTPSbedevelopedinpartnershipwiththemanycommunities,organisations,businessesandindividualsthatliveandworkinregionalandremoteAustraliatoensurethatarangeofmodelsandsituationsareunderstoodandaddressedappropriately.

Furthermore,TheBroadbandfortheBushAlliancenotesthattheReviewCommitteehasnotsoughtviewsfromsubmittersonthecriticalissueoftheUniversalServiceObligation(USO).WeareawarethatworkiscurrentlyunderwaytoredeveloptheUniversalServiceObligation(USO).WeareconcernedthatthereisarealriskofmanyregionalandremoteAustraliansbeingfurtherdisadvantagedifafutureUSOisnotsupportedtosufficientlevels.AreducedUSOwilllikelyseeTelstrareducetechnicalsupportforthemostcostlyinfrastructure,whichisoftenlocatedinremoteAustralia.WebelievethisCommitteeneedstoconsiderthisissueandrecommendthatthefutureprovideroflastresortarrangementsnamelytheUSObefullyfundedandmeettheneedsofremoteAustralians.

Recommendations 

Inordertoaddressthechallengesinregionaltelecommunications,theBroadbandfortheBushAlliancerecommendthatadedicatedRemoteTelecommunicationsPolicyandStrategy(RTPS)bedevelopedandimplementedasamatterofpriority.

AcomprehensiveRTPSneedstoaddressthethreepillarsofdigitalinclusionbeingAccess,AffordabilityandDigitalAbilityandincorporatethefollowingrecommendations.

Overarching Principles 

1. ThattheRTPSisbackedbystronggovernmentinvestmentbothindollarsandprinciplesoffairnessandequity.

2. Thatworkbecommissionedasaprioritytofullyunderstandtheappropriatelevelofinvestmentgovernmentshouldconsidertoensuresuccess.

3. ThattheRTPSbedevelopedinpartnershipwiththemanycommunities,organisations,businessesandindividualsthatliveandworkinregionalandremoteAustraliatoensurethatarangeofmodelsandsituationsareunderstoodandaddressedappropriately.

4. ThattheupdatedUniversalServiceObligation(USO)ensuresafutureprovider/soflastresortandthatUSOarrangementsbefullyfundedtomeettheneedsofremoteAustralians.

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Access 

5. ThattheRTPSincorporateapredictivedataroadmapthatsetsrealistictargetsforfuturedatausagetoinformfutureinvestmentandprograms.

6. ThattheMobileBlackspotprogrambeingmaintainedandbroadenedandthe5Grolloutbeprioritizedasakeytechnology.

Affordability 

7. ThatInternetServiceProviders(ISPs)andTelco’sbeencouraged/requiredtoprovideclarityinproductpromotiontoreducemarketconfusion.

8. ThatkeyAustralian,stateandterritorygovernmentservicesincludingaccesstogovernmentservicesasdeliveredthroughMyGov,educationandhealthbeunmeteredtoallowequitableaccess.

9. ThatAustralian,stateandterritorygovernmentappsandservicesbeappropriatelydesignedtomitigatecongestion,cost,andcapacitychallenges.

10. ThattheAustraliangovernmentutiliseorganisationssuchasBIRRR,theBroadbandfortheBushAllianceandtheAustralianDigitalInclusionAlliancetoengagewithregionalandremotecommunities.

11. ThatthroughCOAGtheAustraliangovernmenttakesaleadershippositiontoensuredataisaffordableforregionalandremoteAustralians.

12. ThattheAustraliangovernmentcommissionfurtherresearchtounderstanddataneedsandtechnologytrendstohelpplanforfutureindustriesandbusinessesthatcouldbesuccessfullydevelopedand/orre‐locatedinregionalandremoteAustralia.

Digital Ability 

13. ThatanewrolloutoftheDigitalHubsincludingDigitalChampionstosupportinitiallydigitalenablementandindustry‐relatedawarenesswithlong‐termbenefitforalllocalcommunitiesbefundedandimplemented.

14. ThatatargetedIndigenousDigitalInclusionprogrambedevelopedwithindigenouscommunityguidanceandbefullyfundedbytheAustraliangovernment.

15. Thatadigitalabilityimprovementstrategybedevelopedandimplemented.Suchstrategyneedstoreflectthevarietyoflearningmethodsrequiredtomeetcommunityneedsandsupportexistinginfrastructuresuchaspubliclibrariesandcommunitycentres.

16. ThatanRTPSincorporateacceptableandcontinuouslyimprovingpublishedKPIsforservicedeliveryandproductsupportforregionalandremoteAustralia.

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17. ThattheAustraliangovernmentcommissionthedevelopmentofasetofsocialandeconomicmeasurestoguideinvestmentsinbetterbroadbandandmobilecoverageforcommunitybenefit.

18. ThatawiderangeoftechnologiessuitabletoregionalandremoteAustraliabesupportedbytheRTPStoencouragecontinuousimprovementandinnovationincludinglocallycontrolleddata/telephonynetworks.

19. ThattheAustraliangovernmenturgentlyundertakeworktodefinethenecessarymarketinterventionsrequiredtosupportcompetition,whereeconomicallyviable,inregionalandremoteAustralia.

 

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Response to individual questions  

1. Whatarethemainbarrierstopeopleinregionalcommunitiesincreasingtheiruseofdigitaltechnologiesandpossiblesolutionsforovercomingthesebarriers?

WhileaccesstoreliabledigitalcommunicationtechnologyisbecomingthenormformostAustraliansthereremainsignificantnumbersthatfacebarrierstotheeffectiveuseofthosetechnologies.Broadlyspeaking,thebarriersfallwithinthethreesubcategoriessetoutintheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex(ADII),beingaccess,affordabilityanddigitalcapability.3

RegionalAustraliainparticularislaggingbehindandweurgentlyneedastrategytoaddressissuesofinfrastructure,access,affordabilityanddigitalability.ForpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliathesebarriersaremultipliedinsignificancedueinlargeparttofactorsrelatingtogeographyandtheADIIconfirmsthat.

“Themoreremoteyourlocation,themoredigitallyexcludedyouarelikelytobe.”4

Limitedinfrastructure,pooraccessandlowdigitalabilitycombinetoexacerbatetheimpactoncommunitiesinrelationtocommunicationswithgovernmentandessentialbusinessservicesincreasinglydeliveredexclusivelyonline,health,education,employmentandbusinessdevelopmentopportunities.

Eachofthesebarriersoftenintersectsandimpactsontheotherandassuchnooneshouldbeseeninisolationfromtheother.ForexamplethemovetoonlineCentrelinkreportingviaMyGovhasintroducedastructuralbarrierformanyresidentsofremoteAustraliainparticularAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople.Internetaccessislimitedinmanycommunities,isoftencongestedandslow,isunaffordable,orisprovidedthroughcommunityfacilitiesthathavelimitedopeninghoursduringtheworkingweek.InmanyremoteNTcommunitiesthereisnopublicInternetaccessavailableandmobilecoverageisavailableinonlyabout20%ofremoteNT,north‐westWA,northSAandCapeYorkandTorresStraitcommunities.

ItisclearthatregionalareasinAustraliaarelessdigitallyconnected,havemoredifficultyaffordingtechnology,andarethereforelessdigitallyablethanthosewholiveincities.5Thecurrentevidencewouldsuggestthat,ifunchecked,thisgapbetweenruralandurbanareaswillexistandgrowforsometime.6IfallowedtocontinueitwillwidenovertimeandplaceregionalandremoteAustraliaatfurtherdisadvantagefrombothadigitalinclusionandacostoflivingperspective.

3Thomas,J,Barraket,J,Wilson,C,Ewing,S,MacDonald,T,Tucker,J&Rennie,E,2017,MeasuringAustralia’sDigitalDivide:TheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex2017,RMITUniversity,Melbourne,forTelstra.DOI:www.dx.doi.org/10.4225/50/596473db69505

4Dezuanni,M,Burgess,J,Thomas,J,Barraket,J,Marshall,A,Wilson,C,Ewing,S,MacDonald,T,2017,MeasuringQueensland’sDigitalDivide−TheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex2017:Queensland,RMITUniversity,Melbourne,forTelstra

5Thomas.Jetal.2017[Ibid].Table12p.20.

6Ibidp.6

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Toaddressthisimbalanceandtoavoidtheriskofincreasingthisrural/metropolitandigitaldividethegovernmentneedstointerveneinwaysthatensureequitableaccesstoappropriatebroadbandservicesandincreaseddigitalinclusiveness.KeytothisisthedevelopmentofadedicatedRTPSasearlierhighlightedandtheidentificationofthebarriersandtheappropriateco‐designedsolutionsneedtobeclearlyarticulated.

Access 

AccessbarriersexistinremoteAustraliaprimarilyastherearelesscommunityplacesforpeopletoaccesstheInternet,especiallythoseonlowincomeandrequiringpublicaccess.Thishasanegativeimpactuponbusiness,education,employmentandhealthinparticularandworkstounnecessarilyimpoverishregionalandremoteAustralia.

Accessiscompoundedbythelackofavailabilityofbandwidthandconnectivityinremoteareas.Wecontendthatasyetnosuitablebroadbandsolutionhasbeenprovidedtonon‐urbandwellersandforthoseonsatelliteproductscongestionandlatencyarekeyongoingandseeminglyunresolvableissues7.

“EighteenlocationshavebeenidentifiedasdeliveringspeedsduringpeaktimesthatarelessthanwhattheaverageTurkishinternetuserenjoyedin2012”8

ItislikelythatcongestionwillremainanissuewhentheNBNrolloutiscompleteasthedemandformoreandmoredataispredictedtobeunmetbysupply.ApolicythatincorporatesapredictiveroadmapthatsetsrealistictargetsforfuturedataandvoiceusagewillworktoprovidesomecertaintyandlikelyseeTelco’s,governmentsandthecommunitybetterplacedtorespondtocongestionissuesastheyarise.

Thereareincreasingnumbersofcloudbasedproductsandservices.AsbusinessinregionalAustraliacomestorelymoreheavilyoncloudbasedapplicationstheabilityoftheInternetserviceprovidersincludingtheNBNneedstoensurethatcapacityisadequatetomeetthisgrowingneed.Thisiscurrentlynotsupportedwellbystand‐alonesatelliteforexampleduetodistance,latencyandotherisolationfactors.

Solutionsthatencouragetheprioritizationof5GasakeytechnologyandtheMobileBlackspotprogrambeingmaintained9andbroadenedaswellasincludingcomplementarytechnologiessuchaslongrangeWiFi,andactiveandpassiverepeatersneedtobeincludedintheaforementionedRTPS.ThisshouldincludemandatinganNBN(orotherWISP)gatewaysoneveryMobileBlackSpotstowerfundedbyCommonwealthandStatepublicmoney.

7Gothe‐Snape,Jackson.“IsFixedWirelessCongestionontheNBNGettingYoudown?You’reNotAlone.”Text.ABCNews,April25,2018.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018‐04‐25/nbn‐fixed‐wireless‐congestion‐slows‐connections‐across‐australia/9696490.

8Gothe‐Snape,Jackson.ibid

9WestronglyrecommendthatthenamebechangedtoremovedthewordBlackspot

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Recommendation 5: That the RTPS incorporate a predictive data roadmap that sets realistic targets for future data usage to inform future investment and programs. 

Recommendation 6: That the Mobile Black spot program being maintained and broadened and the 5G rollout be prioritized as a key technology. 

Affordability  

IntheviewoftheAlliancefartoomanyregionalcommunitieshavebeenputonsatelliteastheonlyoptionratherthanmakeanefforttoexplorehowothertechnologysolutionssuchasfixedwireless,localLTEwithsatellitebackhaulorcablecouldcomplimentit.Forregionalandremoteconsumersthishasresultedinaproductrangethatislimitedandhashighercostinstallationsandsupportastherearefewifanysimple,plugandplayinstallationsatlowcost.

ConfusionintheproductmarketplaceexacerbatesaffordabilityandneedstobeaddressedbyensuringTelco’smarkettheirproductswithclarityandthatthoseonthecommunityhavetheabilitytounderstandtheproductsavailabletothem.

DatalimitsonSkymusterarecreatingaproblemformany.ForregionalandremoteAustralianstheAlliancerecommendsthatgovernment,educationandhealthservicesbeunmeteredtoallowequitableaccesstothesevitalservices.Forexamplewealreadyknowthatthecostassociatedwithalow‐incomeparentnotbeingabletoaffordacomputingdeviceandtheassociateddatafortheirchildhasalastingimpactonthatchild’seducation.10Thecostbenefitofprovidingunmeteredaccesstogovernment,educationandhealthservicesneedtobeexploredandunderstoodinfull.

Recommendation 7: That Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telco’s be encouraged/required to provide clarity in product promotion to reduce market confusion.  

Recommendation 8: That key Australian, state and territory government services including access to government services as delivered through MyGov, education and health be unmetered to allow equitable access. 

Digital Ability 

VerylittlehasbeendoneinastrategicwaytoengagewithpeoplelivinginruralandremoteAustraliatofirstlyunderstandtheirdigitalabilityandsubsequentlytodevelopprogramstoimprovetheirskills.ThoseprogramsthathavebeeninoperationoverthepastfewyearshavenotmettheneedsofregionalAustralia111213.Theyhavelaidsomeusefulgroundworkbutareshort‐term;theyarenotenough.Theyarelimitedinresourcebase,targetedtospecificgroupsandlackanyoverallstrategicdirection.

10McLeish,K.(2016,December16).‘Queenslandschools’BYODprogramrisksleavingpoorerstudentsbehind,QTUsays’.ABCNews.11https://www.telstra.com.au/tech‐savvy‐seniors12https://www.beconnectednetwork.org.au/13https://www.godigi.org.au/

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Additionally,strategicthoughtneedstogointowhatdigitalabilityneedstolooklikeovertime.Learningneedstobeprojectorworkbased,embeddedinformaleducation,inclusive,responsivetocommunitywishes,and,whererelevant,buildonexistingprojectsorareasofinterest.AprogramlikeinDigiMOB14that’saboutimprovingdigitalinclusionforAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopleinremoteNorthernTerritoryisworthexploringasamodel.Itmakesavailableaflexiblesuiteoftechnical,trainingandinfrastructuresupportresourcesthatcommunitiesandorganisationscantakeadvantageof,accordingtotheirdiverseneedsandcontexts.

ToensuregovernmentservicesworkwellinremoteAustraliawerecommendthatgovernmentappsandservicesbedesignedwithpeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliasothattheycanworkwithcongestion,costandcapacitychallengeshighlighted.

ThebarriersaredeeplychallengingforthemostdisadvantagedinregionalandremoteAustraliaandthesolutionsrequirelong‐termcommitmentinpartnership,aspreadofappropriateandaffordabletechnologiesandamultifacetedapproachtodevelopingdigitalcapability.WeencouragethegovernmenttoutiliseorganisationssuchasBIRRR15,TheAustralianDigitalInclusionAlliance(ADIA)andtheBroadbandfortheBushtoengagewithregionalcommunitiesinpartnershipwithTelco’sandgovernmentagenciestohelpbreakdownthosebarriers.

Recommendation 9 ‐ That Australian, state and territory government apps and services be appropriately designed to mitigate congestion, cost, and capacity challenges. 

Recommendation 10 ‐ That the Australian government utilise organisations such as BIRRR, the Broadband for the Bush Alliance and the Australian Digital Inclusion Alliance to engage with regional and remote communities.  

14https://irca.net.au/projects/indigimob15https://birrraus.com/

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2. Howarepeopleinregionalcommunitiescurrentlyusingtheirbroadbandserviceandhowmighttheyincreasethebenefitsofusingthistechnology?

Peopleinregionalcommunities,aswiththemetropolitanpopulations,arecurrentlyusingtheirbroadbandinanumberofways.HoweverdespitethegrowingnumberofpositivestorieswehavealongwaytogotofullyrealisethebenefitsthatbroadbandhastoofferregionalAustralia.

TohighlightonlyoneareathatoftelehealthinwhichconsultingbetweenGPsandspecialistswithpatientshasbecomeamorefrequentoccurrencethusallowingin‐homeandoncommunitybiometricmonitoringforchronicdisease16.ForexampleCSIROresearchshowedsavingsof24percentovertheyeartothehealthcaresystemmadethroughreductionsinthenumberandcostofGPvisits,specialistvisitsandprocedurescarriedout17.

ConsiderationneedstobegiventohowbroadbandcouldinfluencepopulationgrowthinregionalAustralia.Forexamplewithstudentsbeingabletostudyonlineopportunitiesexistforretentionofyouthinregionalareasandremotecommunities.Thepotentialforthistohaveanimpactinkeepingyouth“inandoncountry”hasaclearsocialbenefitwheretheimpactonlocaleconomiesisapositiveonerangingfromsupportinglocalworkforcetoallowingcommunitiestoregenerate.

KeytoincreasedbroadbandusageandrealizinggreaterbenefitsisensuringregionalandremoteAustralianshaveaffordableproducts.ItisthereforecriticalthatallgovernmentsworkwithinthesameframeworkandwerecommendthereforethatthroughCOAGtheAustraliangovernmentstakealeadershippositiontoensuredataisaffordableforregionalandremoteAustralians.

Recommendation 11 ‐ That through COAG the Australian government takes a leadership position to ensure data is affordable for regional and remote Australians. 

16https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5734598/17https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/BF/Areas/Digital‐health/Improving‐access/Home‐monitoring

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3. Whatdata‐intensiveactivitiesareoccurringinregional,ruralandremoteAustralia?Whatdigitaltechnologiesareneededforthese?

Therearealreadymanydata‐intensiveactivitiesoccurringinregional,ruralandremoteAustraliahoweverweshouldneverassumethatthedatathatisavailableisenough.Thisisespeciallythecaseaswemovetomoremobile,InternetofThings(IoT),andmorecloud‐basedapplications.

Theuseofcloud‐basedapplicationsispredictedtoboomwithanincreaseinvalueof15%from2017to2018toalmost$6.5billion,duemainlytotheboominsoftware‐as‐a‐serviceadoption.18Thereisclearlyachallengehereforregionalbusinessestokeeppacegiventhebroadbandaccessgapbetweenregionalandurbanandoftenthehigherdatacostsandassociatedlimitations.

Businessoperatorsrelymoreondatafromtheiroperationstobetterunderstandperformance,reliabilityandshortfalls,sothattheycanapplyimprovementsandrealisebetterproductivityoutcomes.Thereforethedigitaltechnologiesneededtobesuccessfulincludethosethatarehighspeed,lowlatency,lowcongestionandhaveunlimitedaccesstodataandvoicebandwidth.AdditionallytheyneedtobepricedinsuchawayastobeaffordableforallthoselivingandworkinginremoteAustraliaandtheyneedtobesupportedwithskillsdevelopmentprogramsandinsomecasesonlineandinsitusupport.

Theminingandagriculturalsectorsareoftenintheforefrontofdevelopmentsinpartbecausetheyhaveinvestedinhigh‐speedconnectivityrequiredtogrowtheirbusinesseswithintheglobalmarket19.

Health,governmentandeducationsectorsarebecomingmoredataintenseinparticularthroughtheneedtomoveandexchangeoflargedatafiles.Forexampleareassuchashealthareusingimageexchangeinradiologyandusingotherdataintensiveservicessuchasvideoconferencing,multisitelinkupsthroughutilitiessuchasZoomandSkypeonadailybasis.Inrelationtohealthoutcomesthereturnoninvestmentinaddressingtheshortfallinhealthoutcomethatcountrypeopleexperienceisfargreaterthanforpeopleinmetropolitanareasandthetechnologyincludingdataaccessneedstobetargetedtoaddressthis.

Wewouldanticipate5Gifrolledoutequitablyandaffordablywillcomplimenttheseoverthecomingdecadeaspartoftheoverallmixthatwouldsupportsuchthingsaslocalconnectivity,andthesensors,actuators,dataanalysisandvisualisationtoolsrelatedtotheInternetofThings(IoT).

Furtherresearchneedstobedoneaspartofadedicatedregionaltelecommunicationspolicy(RTPS)tohelpplanforfutureindustriesandbusinessesthatcouldbesuccessfullylocatedinregionalandremoteAustraliaandcriticaltothisisunderstandingofdataneedsandtrends.

18“TheGrowthoftheAustralianCloudComputingIndustry.”PenguinManagement(blog),November5,2017.https://www.penguinaccounts.com.au/inside‐australian‐cloud‐computing/.19McHugh,Babs.“The‘digitalMine’RevolutionIsHereasTechnologiesAccelerate.”Feature.ABCRural,August9,2017.http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2017‐08‐09/the‐digital‐mine‐revolution‐underway‐now/8786194.

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Recommendation 12 ‐ That the Australian government commission further research to understand data needs and technology trends to help plan for future industries and businesses that could be successfully developed and/or re‐ located in regional and remote Australia. 

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4. Howcanregionalbusinessesbetterutilisedigitaltechnologiestomaximiseeconomicbenefits?

Theopportunitiestomaximiseeconomicbenefitforregionalbusinessesisunquestionable.Weneedtocontinuebuildingthebackbone‐theinfrastructure,thebandwidth,thepipeneededtorealisethesebenefitsandweneedtohaveacohesiveandcomprehensiveunderstandingofthosebusinessopportunities.

Weareseeingmining,farming,environmentandtourismservicesjusttonameafewtakingadvantageoftheInternetofThings(IoT)applications,highspeedbroadbandandtheabilitytosharedataintoglobalmarkets.Theeconomicbenefitplaysoutinimprovementstomarketingreach,efficiencies,supplychaincontinuity,ordering,accountingaswellasmoreawarenessofwhatalreadyworks.Thishowevertendstobeconfinedtoindividualbusinessesandtheunderstandingofthebroaderbenefitsislimited.

WeseetheopportunityforaRTPStodevelopmorecommunicationacrossregionsviacoordinationnetworksandprogramsthatallowpeakbodiestosupportbusinessdigitalliteracytotheirmembersandstakeholders,e.g.RDA.

Themoretrustedsourceswehavethebetterablebusinesswouldbetotakeadvantageofdigitalforeconomicbenefit.

AspartofaproposeddedicatedremotetelecommunicationspolicywehighlighttheneedforanewrolloutoftheDigitalHubsincludingDigitalChampionstosupportinitiallydigitalenablementandindustry‐relatedawarenesswithlong‐termbenefitforalllocalcommunities.

Recommendation 13 ‐ That a new rollout of the Digital Hubs including Digital Champions to support initially digital enablement and industry‐related awareness with long‐term benefit for all local communities be funded and implemented. 

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5. WhatcanbedonetoimproveaccesstoanduptakeoftelecommunicationsservicesinremoteIndigenouscommunities?

ThisreviewprovidesakeyopportunitytoaddressastructuralandskillsissuethatisimpactingontheabilityofAboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeopletofirstly,engagewithInternetdeliveredservicesandresourcesthatenhanceemploymentandeducationalopportunitiesandsecondly,ensureaccesstogovernment(MyGov)servicesandsafetynets,especiallyinremoteareas.

IndigenousAustralianshavebeenrecognisedtohaveasignificantgapindigitalinclusioncomparedwiththebroaderAustralianpopulationwithintheDigitalInclusionIndex(14%gapbasedon2011ABSdata).ItiswellknownthatthisgapismuchgreaterforremoteIndigenousAustralians.

Atthepresenttime,averylargeproportionofsmalltomediumsizedremoteIndigenouscommunities(inthecategoriesformallydefinedasoutstation/homelandorminorcommunity)arereliantonasinglemeansoftelecommunicationsaccess,orhavenoaccessatall.Typically,whereprovidedthisisasinglepayphoneorcommunityphone,connectedtothePSTNviaHCRCmicrowavelinkorsatellitelinkrespectively.

Toquantifythis,theHomelandsReview(2015/2016data)foundthataround80%oftheapproximately400occupiedoutstations/homelandsintheNTi.e.320outstation/homelandsdidnothaveaccesstoreliablemobilecoverage,soallofthe320outstationsplusanumberofminorcommunities(populationbetween50and200approximately)withoutmobilecoverageareinthis‘singlemeansofaccess’category20.Intotalonly20%hadmobilecomparedtoapproximately81%ofthebroaderAustralianpopulation.AsimilarsituationexistsintheKimberleyandNorthQueensland.

Giventhisthefirstconsiderationshouldbetonotremoveexistingtelecommunicationssuchaspayphonesorcommunityphonesuntilareliableandwell‐provenfuturesolutionbefound.Apointtonoteinthiscontextisthatsatelliteconnectedservices,particularlyKaBandi.e.NBNSkymusteraresusceptibletorainfade,andcanthereforebeunavailableunderheavyrainfallconditionswhentheymaybemostneeded.

Thereiscurrentlyinadequatedatacollectiontomeasurethefullextentofthegapnationallyforindigenousdigitalinclusion.Withoutsuchdataandtargetedprogramstoaddressthegaps,FederalandStategovernmentswillneedtocontinuetodeliveressentialservicesfacetofacereducingsignificantlyanycostbenefitsthatcanbegainedfromdigital.

DigitalinclusionwillpromoteimprovementsinmostotherClosingtheGap(CTG)measures,includingeducation,health,socialinclusion,governance,compliancewithgovernmentregulationsandabilitytoparticipateinemploymentandeconomicimprovements.ChapterfiveoftheClosingtheGappolicyrelatestoeconomicdevelopmentandChaptersevenrelatestosocialinclusion.BothofthesekeyoutcomeswillbeimprovedbyaddressingDigitalInclusion.Theimportanceof

20TheNorthernTerritoryHomelandsandOutstationsAssetsandAccessReview(CAT,2016)www.icat.org.auCentreforAppropriateTechnology.AliceSprings.2016

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TelecommunicationsandInfrastructureunderpinstheDepartmentofPrimeMinisterandCabinet’sIndigenousAdvancementStrategy.

Inlinewiththisstrategyakeyrecommendationcomingfromthe2017IndigenousFocusDayandBroadbandfortheBushforuminPerthWAwastoseekthesupportofallAustralianGovernmentsthroughtheCouncilofAustralianGovernments(COAG)toadoptdigitalinclusionasakeyperformancemeasurewithintheClosingtheGapframework.ItwasfurtherrecommendedthatatargetedIndigenousDigitalInclusionprogrambedevelopedandfullysupported.

TheIndigenousDigitalInclusionproposaladdressestheprovisionofappropriate,accessibleandaffordableInternetaccesstovitalonlinegovernmentservicessuchasMyGovinremoteAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities.Moregenerally,theproposaladdressestheopportunitiesprovidedbyInternetaccess,includingaccesstojobssites,educationalresources,onlinelearning,e‐commercesites,onlinebanking,andthepotentialforestablishingonlinebusinesses.

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TheIndigenousDigitalInclusionprogramproposalhassevencomponents:

1. DatacollectiontomeasurewhetherremoteAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunitymembershavebroadbandavailabletothemwiththeminimalrequirementsintermsofaccess,availability,affordabilityanddigitalliteracyinordertoaccessonlineservices.

2. Prioritisationoftherolloutofbroadbandservices,includingmobilecoverage,toidentifiedremoteIndigenouscommunitiesthatdonothaveminimalcommunity‐wideonlineaccess.

3. ProvisionofpublicInternetaccesstotheidentifiedcommunitiesthroughcommunityWiFiandLTEsystems.

4. Implementationofunmeteredaccesstoallonlinegovernmentservices(includingMyGov),banking,education,employment,justiceandhealthservices.

5. Rolloutofaculturallyandlanguageappropriatedigitalliteracyprogramforremotecommunitymembers.

6. ACommunityDigitalMentorsprogramtoprovidemeaningfulcommunity‐basedjobsinremotecommunitiestosupportdigitalengagement,literacyandsupportviaapeer‐learningmodel.

7. Supportfortheuseofteleandvideoconferencinginlocalandcommunitygovernancefacilitatingextendedcommunity‐wideawarenessbuilding,accountabilityandconsultationprocesses

Criticalelementsofthisprogramarethattheyaretargeted,recurrentandsustainablei.e.notcapriciouslyallocated,aone‐offactivityforapressreleaseorbuilddependenciesthatareunsustainable.Strategiccontinuityandongoingdevelopmentofprogramsarecriticalfactorsintheirsuccess.Itisalsoimportantthatthereislocalownershipinallaspectsoftheprogramandbuildinguponthecapacityofexistingorganisations,infrastructureandprograms,avoidingduplicationofeffort.Aflexibleandlocallytargetedapproachismorelikelytoworkthataone‐size‐fits‐allmodel.

WeseethatthisreviewprovidesanopportunitytofurtherhighlightthisexcitingconceptthatprovidesameaningfulwayforwardforindigenousAustraliansandassuchwerecommendthatitbeincorporatedintotheproposedRTPS.

IfthegrowingdigitaldivideforIndigenousAustraliansisnotbeingaddressedthroughaholisticandtargeteddigitalinclusionstrategyassoonaspossible,itwillbecomeincreasinglydifficulttoachieve,riskingthecreationofaburgeoningdigitalunder‐class.Conversely,itisanareathatcanhaveverygoodoutcomesandflow‐onbenefitstootherCTGmeasuresasaresultoftargetedprogramsinthisarea.

Recommendation 14 ‐ That a targeted Indigenous Digital Inclusion program be developed with indigenous community guidance and be fully funded by the Australian government. 

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6. Aretherepracticalexamplesofhowcommunicationsservicescanimprovethewell‐beingofpeopleinremoteIndigenouscommunities?

Thereareanumberofpracticalexamplesofhowcommunicationsservicesareimprovingthewell‐beingofpeopleinremoteIndigenouscommunitieshoweverthereisalongwaytogo.

SomeexamplesfromtherecentIndigenousFocusDayhighlighttheimportanceofactivitiesbeinglocallydrivenasitleadstoamuchgreaterchanceofsustainablesuccessandutiliseslocalassetsandcommunity.

1. DigitalInclusionMparntwe(AliceSprings)‐collaborativeprojectacross5towncampsfocussedoneducationandhealthcareandworkingwithaccessiblephoneboxesassomepeopledon’thavemobiles.EverytowncampneedsphonereceptionandInternetaccess,includingstaffingsupportsuchastheinDigiMOBDigitalMentors.

2. Tjuntjuntjuraprojects‐Marlpas(friendandcompanion)andMentors(inclusionworkers)workingtogether‐twowaylearningandthecreationofrelationships.Optussmallcellinstalledatroadhouse.CRCinTjuntjuntjurahascomputers,communityradio,transitorymigrationthatresultsinashiftingpopulationmakeupandsize(200‐2000).Arelationshipofcollectivesharingresultinginindividualsneedsbeingmet.Teachersthatarelocalandculturallyawareareutilised.

3. RemoteCommunityLibraryServices‐NTlibraryhas16librariesinremotecommunitiesrunbylocalcouncilsandfreeWiFiisbeingrunoutto46communitiestoenableaccesstolibraryresourceswhentheydon’thaveaphysicallibrary.Cloudbasedstorytellingandstorageandexpandingservicesavailabletoremotecommunities.

ModelssuchastheaforementionedinDigiMOBareworthlookingtoreplicateandlearnfromastheyallowcommunitiestodecidewhatisofvaluetothemindevelopingdigitalliteracy.Thisincreaseslocalownershipandgreatersustainabilityandimpact.

Wewouldalsosuggeststronglythatpolicyanddecisionmakersneedtospendalotmoretimeinandwithremoteindigenouscommunitiestounderstandwhatisneeded21,whatispossibleandwhatcanbedonetosupportthecommunitieswithtechnology.

21Corporation,AustralianBroadcasting.“Self‐DeterminationandRespectforRemoteIndigenousCommunitiesonBigIdeas.”

ABCRadio.AccessedJuly19,2018.http://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/perQmoo4MD?play=true.

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7. Whatskillsdopeopleneedtogetthemostfromtheirdigitaltechnologies,andwherecantheylearntheseskills?

PeoplelivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliarequiretoarangeofdigitalskillstogetthemostfromtheirdigitaltechnologies.Thekeyemergingskillrequiredisthatofproblemsolving.Learningisoftendevicerelatedorspecifictoonetechnologysotheabilitytolearnhowtothinkaroundandthroughaproblemiscritical.ThisskillcanbeappliedtobothhardwareanddeviceproblemsolvingthroughtounderstandinghowtoevaluateandcriticallyunderstandinformationontheWeb.

Learningdigitalskillsrequiresappropriate,easilyaccessibleandusableonlineresourcesinadditiontowell‐equippedcommunitylearningfacilities.Thisisanotherreasonwhybroadbandinregionalareasneedstobeaffordableandfast.

Importanttolearningsuccessisalsoanappreciationofthevaluepropositionputforwardbydigitali.e.(wayitwillchangetheirlife,workandwellbeing)andtheabilitytoadapttonewtoolsdevicesandapplications.Theneedexistsalsotoenhancedigitalandgeneraldigitalabilitybeyondthesimplestlevels.AstudyofdigitallearningcourseintheCityofMelbourneindicatedthatwellover70percentofcoursesavailablewereforover55yearoldsanddeemedtobeatbasicofintroductoryinlevel22.

Offlineprintresourcesareimportanttoreinforcelearningactivitiesaswellasincommunitymentoringthatorganisationssuchasmen’ssheds,women’ssheds,librariesandneighbourhoodhousescouldbeheavilyinvolvedin.TheopportunityexiststosetupdigitalengagementcentresorhubsacrossregionalAustralia.

Moreresourcesinparticularneedtogointolocallibrariestosupportdigitalliteracyskillsoveralongperiodoftime.Thenecessaryinfrastructureandservicesisalreadythere,staffing,buildings,mobilelibrariesandcomputersetc.andlibrariesarealreadydoingsomeofthisworkwithcommunities.

WeknowlittleaboutwhatdigitallearningisofferedwhereandwhatisrequiredinregionalandremoteAustraliaandthereforeneedtodevelopadigitalabilityroadmapaspartofabroaderdigitalabilityimprovementstrategyifwearetoachievemaximumbenefitovertime. Itisimportanttounderstandthatavarietyoflearningmethodsarerequiredthatareflexibleandnon‐prescriptivesoastomeetcommunityneeds.ItshouldidentifyandutiliselocalmentorsaswellasworkingcloselywithlocalcommunitiestounderstandtheneedsandthisisespeciallythecasewithAboriginalandTorresStraitIslandercommunities.AssuchwerecommendaspartoftheRTPSastrategytoimprovethedigitalabilityofregionalandremoteAustraliansisrecommended.

Recommendation 15 ‐ That a digital ability improvement strategy be developed and implemented. Such strategy needs to reflect the variety of learning methods required to meet community needs and support existing infrastructure such as public libraries and community centres. 

22Infoxchange[unpublished]2017

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8. Haveyouhadongoingissuesaffectingyoursatelliteorfixedwirelessbroadbandservice?Ifso,howhaveyouovercometheseissues?

NearlyhalfthecomplaintsreceivedbytheTelecommunicationsIndustryombudsmanlastyearidentifiedcustomerserviceasthekeyissue23.WenotealsothatanewreportfromACCAN24indicatesthatconsumersareunhappyatTelcocomplaintresolutionspeedsinparticular.Whilethereisnocomparisonineitherreportidentifyingurbanversusregionalcomplaintsandwhethertheyberegionalsatelliteorfixedwirelessitwouldbereasonabletoconcludethatissuesaffectingregionalandremoteconsumersarelikelytobeonthelowerendofthescale.

TheACCANreportindicatesthatittakesanaverageof13daysforcomplaintresolution,butforthosewithmoredifficultissuestimesblowoutto2months.Thequickestmethodofproblemresolutionisin‐storewhichgiventhegeographyofregionalAustraliathisislikelytobeacostlyandunderutilizedpathwayforregionalandremoteconsumersandagainpointstoregionalconsumersbeingdisadvantaged.

WenotetheworkofBetterInternetforRuralRegionalandRemoteAustralia25inparticularforsharinginformationtoassistindividuals’resolvealargerangeofproblemsassociatedtotelecommunications.IndoingsowebelievethisshouldbesupportedmuchmorestronglybyasignificantimprovementinsupportbyTelco’sastheneedthatsawBIRRRforminthefirstplaceindicatesamassivetechnicalsupportgap.

AsevidencedbyBIRRRandtheACCANreportcustomersarespendingdaystryingtosortoutstraightforwardthingslikechangingaplan,updatingcontactdetails,andgeneralaccountinquiriesandwebelievethatthisisnotacceptableforregionalandremotepeople.WeagreewiththeCEOofACCANinsayingthatit’stimetoshiftthebalancebacktoTelco’ssothatcustomersarenotcarryingsuchheavycoststomaintaintheiressentialtelecommunicationsservices.

“Poorcustomerservicebytheindustryshiftscostsfromproviderstotheircustomers,whoareexperiencinglossanddisruptionbyspendingfartoolongtryingtoresolveissues.”26

Recommendation 16 ‐ That an RTPS incorporate acceptable and continuously improving published KPIs for service delivery and product support for regional and remote Australia. 

23https://www.tio.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/250911/Telecommunications‐Industry‐Ombudsman‐Annual‐Report‐2017.pdf

24“CANYOUHEARME?RankingtheCustomerServiceofAustralia’sPhoneandInternetCompanies.”ACCAN.AccessedJuly23,

2018.https://accan.org.au/our‐work/research/1523‐can‐you‐hear‐me‐ranking‐the‐customer‐service‐of‐australia‐s‐phone‐and‐

internet‐companies?highlight=WyJoZWFyIl0=.

25https://birrraus.com/

26https://www.itwire.com/business‐technology/83710‐telstra,‐optus‐get‐low‐ranking‐on‐consumer‐customer‐service‐scorecard.html

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9. IfyouareinanareawithaccesstotheSkyMustersatelliteserviceandyouhavenottakenitup,whynot?

WereferthecommitteetoourcolleaguesatBIRRRwhohaveextensivedetailinthisregard.

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10. Whateconomicorsocialindicatorscouldbeusedtoguideinvestmenttofurtherimprovemobilecoverage?

Thereareanumberofeconomicorsocialindicatorsthatcouldbeusedtoguideinvestmenttofurtherimprovemobilecoverage.TheAustralianDigitalInclusionIndex(ADII)isanexcellentindicatortobeginwithhoweverinrelationtosomecohortsthedataneedstobetreatedwithcautionespeciallyforindigenouspopulations.Thequestioniswhichoneormixofindicatorsprovidesthebestdatatoinformdecision‐makingandwhichoneswitharevaluableovertime.

Iftheultimateoutcomeistodevelopastrongevidencebaseforfuturetechnologydirectionsandscalabilityoftechnologyinvestmentforecastfortheregionsthenadequatefundingsupportneedstobeinplacetooverseethedatacollectionanalysisanddistribution.Inthiscontextsomeofthedatapointsworthinvestigationcouldinclude:

LocalDigitalprofilingandbenchmarkingagainsturbanexperiencecomparingcommondatapoints

Existinginfrastructurewithinacommunity–trackingdatause,internetspeeds,trafficsizetimeofday,industryneeds‐ongoingandseasonaletc.

CurrentMBSPguidelines–Backhauldataanalyticsetc.

Population,sizeandnatureofpopulationse.g.students,businesses,andcommunitydemographics,travellerswithinaregion

Overtime,datasetslookingatinternetuseandfutureneed

Healthindicators–e.g.differentialinhealthoutcomeforATSIandruralandremotecommunities.

Digitalabilityandskillsdevelopment

Distancefromaregionalcentre=remoteness

Willingnesstoinvest‐co‐investmentmodels

Itisimportanttounderstandwhatdatapointsarevaluableandhowtheycanbemaintainedovertimesasnewdatapointsareboughtintothedigitalinclusionequationwillbeachallenge.Werecommendthatthegovernmentinvestindevelopingasetofsocialandeconomicmeasurestoguideinvestmentsinbetterbroadbandandmobilecoverageforcommunitybenefit.

Recommendation 17 ‐ That the Australian government commission the development of a set of social and economic measures to guide investments in better broadband and mobile coverage for community benefit. 

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11. Isinformationreadilyavailableregardinghowtousedevicestoimprovemobilereceptioninareaswithpoorcoverage?E.g.informationaboutexternalantennaequipment?

Informationregardingdevicesandhowtoimprovereceptionisnotreadilyavailable.TherecentACCANreportintocustomercomplaintsgivessomeinsightintoservicelevelfailurebyTelco’s,whichweseeasanindicatorintoboththeavailability,andeaseofuseofconsumerinformation.

AnRTPSshouldlookathowinformationisgathered,keptcurrentanddisseminatedinsuchawayastoeasetheburdenforregionalconsumers.TheBIRRRFacebookpageforexampleworksasonegoodwayofsharingcurrentinformation.Thequestionastowhetherthegovernmentcouldfundasupportorhelpserviceinconcertwiththeseinitiativesneedstobeconsidered.

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12. Whatemergingdigitalserviceswillbeofmostbenefittoregionalbusinessesandwhatarethedataneedsoftheseservices?

TheAllianceseesalldigitalservicesasequallyimportanttothoselivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliaandworkneedstobedonetoensurethatthebenefitsareunderstoodandrealised.Thiswebelievecanbeaccomplishedwithintheframeworkofadedicatedregionaltelecommunicationspolicy.

Whilsttherearesomeemergingdigitalservicesthatneedtobesupportedwithincreaseddataandassociatedservicessuchashigh‐speedconnectivitytohigh‐specdatacentres,mobilecommunicationsforvoiceanddataremainthemostimportantissueforremoteandruralAustralians.CurrentlythereisaverylowpenetrationofmobilecoverageinremoteAustralia.Despitehighdemand,marketfailuremeansthatserviceproviderswillnotindependentlyinvestinfurthercoverageinremoteAustralia.

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13. WhatbroadbandservicesarepeopleusingotherthanthoseavailablethroughtheNBN?

Thereareamixoftechnologiessuchascellularmobilebroadband,NonNBNsatellite,ADSL,LocalWirelessnetworks,LTEprivatenetworksandpublicWiFitonameafew.ThequestionishowcanwereachallregionalandremoteAustralianswithadequate,affordableandubiquitouscoverageandhowdoemergingtechnologieslike5Gblendintothemix.WerecommendthatawiderangeoftechnologiessuitabletoregionalAustraliabesupportedbytheRTPSsoastoencouragecontinuousimprovementandinnovation.

Recommendation 18 ‐ That a wide range of technologies suitable to regional and remote Australia be supported by the RTPS to encourage continuous improvement and innovation including locally controlled data/telephony networks. 

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14. HowcanmorecompetitionbeencouragedintheprovisionofbroadbandservicesinregionalAustralia?

CompetitionasthesingularmodelfortelecommunicationsinregionalAustraliawouldbehighlyunlikelytobesuccessfulgivenissuesofgeography,theactualnatureofthemarketandthelimitedsizeofthemarket.

ToensureequityofserviceprovisionforthoselivingandworkinginregionalandremoteAustraliaandespeciallyforthosesubjecttoasuccessfulimplementationofthenewUniversalServiceGuaranteethegovernmenthasnochoicebuttointerveneinthemarket.

AdedicatedRTPSwillbeanimportantvehicletoprovideclarityaboutthenatureandlevelofgovernmentcommitment.Suchapolicyshouldtakeintoaccounttheleversforcompetitionandunderstandwhenandwheregovernmentneedstoinvesttoreducethechancesofmarketfailureanddeterminehowlongthatinvestmentshouldcontinue.WerecommendthatworkbecommissionedtodefinethemarketinterventionsrequiredtofostercompetitionwherefeasibleinregionalandruralAustralia.

Recommendation 19 ‐ That the Australian government urgently undertake work to define the necessary market interventions required to support competition where economically viable, in regional and rural Australia. 

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Contacts

ApollineKohenForumandBroadbandfortheBushAllianceChairMobile: Email:chair@broadbandforthebush.com.au

DanielFeatherstoneIndigenousFocusDayGeneralManager,IndigenousRemoteCommunicationsAssociationMobile: Email:manager@irca.net.au