The newly formed telecommunications advocacy group, the Rural, Regional and Remote Communications Coalition, is lobbying for Australia’s data services to include a minimum access guarantee to both data and voice services.
And it wants data services to include adequate download and upload speeds, data allowances and service reliability that meets the needs of existing and future residential, agriculture, health and education applications.
This is the outcome it would like to see from the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the Universal Service Obligation (USO).
The USO requires the Primary Universal Service Provider (currently Telstra) to ensure standard telephone services and payphones are reasonably accessible to all people in Australia on an equitable basis, wherever they live or work.
The current USO only guarantees supply of a standard telephone voice service, and does not apply to data services.
Fiona Simson, president of the NFF, one of the coalition partners, said people needed a reliable service for phone calls, as well as the internet.
“This is out of step with the services that consumers now use and something that the coalition would like to see changed because many rural, regional and remote consumers do not have access to adequate telecommunications services.”
The NFF believes that connectivity represents the next frontier for agricultural productivity in Australia.
“Telecommunication services have evolved to the extent that it is now reasonable for baseline broadband to be considered a right for all users,” Ms Simson said. “We are pleased that the productivity commission has acknowledged this in its draft report and we welcome the finding that the USO is outdated.”
She said the challenge now will be working with the commission and the Australian government to ensure that the correct transitional arrangements are identified and form part of the solution.
“Regional, rural and remote consumers and businesses need legislative rights to access broadband and voice services.”
Ms Simson urged the productivity commission to be conscientious and practical in considering a path forward.
“There is a question about how to deliver adequate voice services in NBN satellite areas. Coalition members are supportive of updating the USO but there must be no degradation in the current voice service that users receive.”
She said there was more to a phone service than the technical capabilities on paper.
“Many of our members face daily outages, need additional equipment supported such as EFTPOS machines, and need services in power outages. The range of features and supports associated with a voice service need to be mapped out and retained.”
Kristy Sparrow, leader of the volunteer group Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia (BIRRR), has been a key participant in the coalition in regard to USO reform.
“All members of the coalition have identified that the current USO arrangements are no longer contemporary. We have all welcomed the inquiry but it must lead to outcomes,” said Kristy.
“Through the sheer number of people that contact BIRRR it is clear that there is a real need for better broadband services in the bush.”
“There is a genuine equity issue as people try to run businesses, be engaged in their community and government services, and educate their children.”
“So many services and businesses now assume that everyone has equitible internet access – but this not the case – and we are helping people go to extraordinary measures to achieve this,” added Kristy.
“A reformed policy objective that guarantees baseline broadband services, and the related consumer protections, to everyone would be a game changer.”
Teresa Corbin, CEO of the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN), also a member of the coalition, believes this presents a key opportunity for change, and encouraged all interested parties to have their say on the draft report into the USO.
Submissions to the Productivity Commission inquiry closed on 20 January, but people should contact the commission if they need more time to prepare a submission.
These will inform the final report to the Australian government, which it is then obliged to respond to. Additionally, there will be hearings in a number of cities across Australia.
“The government’s response will be crucial to achieving change,” Ms Simson said.
“So while there is some way to go in the process it is incredibly important rural, regional and remote users are engaged.
“We encourage everyone with a story to tell to engage in this process by making a submission or seeking to give evidence at a hearing. This opportunity is too important to miss.”
