Regional Telecommunications Review - Short Online Submissions

Full name: Ed Wall

Date received: 15 July 2015

Chapter 1: How does demand for telecommunications services inform the Review?

Please comment on how your reliance on telecommunications in regional Australia differs from urban areas.

I don't believe there is any difference in the need for telecommunications between urban and regional areas. Parity in services would be nice.

Chapter 2: How are telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia delivered?

Please comment on the delivery of services for example over fixed networks, mobile networks or satellite.

Having lived at Wee Waa and now Boggabri our experience with telecommunications services are remarkably similar. At both properties we are/were close to the end of the line. While at Wee Waa we were without fixed line services for three weeks due to flooding. Here at Boggabri last time our phone line had to be repaired the service man told me that the line he hooked us up to was the last available because of damage due to a previous lightning strike. In both places dialup internet services were extremely unreliable due to the quality of the line. Here we have gone to satellite however we are a long way behind those who are able to access broadband services. Our mobile services here are unreliable at best. There is to much focus on data etc . I would like most people in rural areas would like to be able to make and receive phone calls on our phones, before you start worrying about mobile internet access. As for the Nowhere Bloody Near us white elephant, it is only widening the disparity between us and the rest of the country.

Chapter 3: How are services being used in regional, rural and remote Australia?

Please comment on how telecommunication services are being used for example, interacting with government, education, health or running a business.

We conduct a livestock transport business which is reliant on the phone, particularly mobile services. we also operate a farm. To access information that we were once able to get through now non existent government services we are increasingly reliant on the internet. Internet banking has now become an integral part of our business. There is an increasing reliance on the internet in marketing our products. my children keep telling me I need a presence on Facebook and a website. We are increasingly reliant on the internet to either price or buy goods. It is not helping our local communities but to remain competitive we need to do it.

Chapter 4: Consumer safeguards

Please provide your views on current consumer safeguards and what should be considered in the future.

I believe current safeguards regarding service provisions are adequate. I think we need easier access to the Ombudsman services. I think with the increasing invasion of media into our lives privacy concerns are a major factor to be considered for the future.

Other comments

Please provide any other comments.

NIL