Have your say on regional telecommunications

PUBLIC consultations for the 2018 Regional Telecommunications Review have begun, and the community has been invited to have their say.

The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee is established every three years to undertake an independent review of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia.

Speaking at the Broadband for the Bush forum in Darwin, committee chair Sean Edwards released an issues paper for the review, and called for people in regional and remote areas to have their say on telecommunications in their area.

“We want to hear from individuals, businesses and community groups based in regional Australia about the standard and availability of phone and internet services for personal and business use.

“The committee wants you to have your say on what’s working well for you and if there are gaps in the services you regularly access.”

Mr Edwards said the committee was also keen to hear from a broad range of people about how they presently used digital technology and how this could be improved.

With government, business and retail services increasingly being provided and accessed online, the committee wants to better understand how this affects people.

The committee will be hosting a number of public consultation sessions in regional areas throughout June and July, and is encouraging people to attend and ensure their views are heard.

In Victoria, sessions will be held in Mildura, Bairnsdale and Hamilton.

People can also provide input into the review by making a submission or using the online form to provide feedback. Comments and submissions should be made by 5pm on August 5.

The committee will report to Minister for Regional Communications Bridget McKenzie by September 30.

To view the issues paper, and for information on how to attend a consultation session or to make a submission, head to rtirc.gov.au.