The Regional Telecommunications Review occurs every three years and is an opportunity to assess the issues impacting regional, rural and remote consumers of telecommunications services.
Since the last Review, regional communities have experienced natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which have highlighted and heightened the need for access to reliable, resilient and affordable telecommunications services. Whilst there has been significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure in recent years, ACCAN’s submission highlights that there remains room for improvement when it comes to accessing high quality services and having the digital skills to benefit from those services.
Our submission calls for:
- The maintenance and improvement of the performance quality of voice services.
- The creation of a concessional broadband service for low income households, and a review of the Commonwealth Telephone Allowance.
- The Mobile Black Spot Program to support choice as well as improved access for consumers.
- The establishment of a Communications Fund to ensure the ongoing funding of telecommunications investment and digital inclusion programs in the regions.
- Statutory Infrastructure Providers to be bound by appropriate service guarantees and performance benchmarks for connection, fault repairs and appointment keeping timeframes.
- Telecommunications services to be recognised as essential services in legislation.
- Urgent action to reach the new Closing the Gap target to address the digital divide experienced by Indigenous consumers.
- Regional consumers to be appropriately supported in their choice and use of telecommunications services.
