Telecommunications review good news for NE

23rd February 2022

Recommendations of Regional Telecommunications Review good news for New England

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce announced the tabling of the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review Report in Parliament.

The report delivers a comprehensive set of recommendations to Government to further improve telecommunications access in regional, rural and remote communities across Australia, including in the New England region.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said having access to good quality, reliable telecommunications is a key issue for constituents. Robust digital connectivity is vital, keeping connected to families, ensuring local businesses can access and adequately service local and international markets, enabling remote working, and providing access to online education and telehealth and government services.

“I’d like to thank people in our region who provided input to the Review – it is important this region’s voice is heard and is taken into account in the Government’s response,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Further investments in regional communications have been made through the $37.1 million Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) package, the $68 million Connecting Northern Australia and the $16.4 million Peri-Urban Mobile Program (PUMP).

In summary, the Report’s recommendations are:

  • Adopt a longer term strategic approach to regional digital infrastructure and skills
  • Increase Government investment in regional connectivity
  • Implement a regional telecommunications resilience fund
  • Trial emerging connectivity technologies
  • Build connectivity literacy and digital capability among regional users
  • Enhance NBN Co’s regional fixed wireless and Sky Muster services
  • Implement and enforce new performance and reliability standards for wholesale and retail services
  • Continue but reform existing universal services for the future
  • Improve consumer information about mobile services including, coverage and performance
  • Encourage shared network access and innovative funding for mobile regional areas
  • Focus on the digital needs of Indigenous communities
  • Improve affordability for vulnerable groups in regional areas

The full report and list of recommendations is available at: www.rtirc.gov.au

News for February 2022