A Telstra mobile phone tower.
FARMERS have been urged to report mobile phone service changes since the 3G network shutdown as the National Farmers Federation flagged rural connectivity as a federal election issue.
Late last year the National Farmers’ Federation welcomed the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee 2024 report and called for urgent action to address connectivity gaps at a time when frustrations at a high.
Since then, complaints about regional mobile connectivity have escalated with calls to make it a federal election issue or mount legal action.
Late last year, the NFF called on the major telco providers to step up their efforts to address coverage concerns, but acknowledged they can’t act on problems if they aren’t reported.
“This is a two-way street,” NFF president David Jochinke said.
“It’s on farmers to bring issues to the providers’ attention.
“But equally we are calling on the major providers to step up – get out in these communities and be proactive,” he said.
“We need to know that if farmers go out of their way to raise issues, they will get a timely explanation,” Mr Jochinke said.
The NFF also called for urgent public investment to accelerate regional connectivity outcomes.
“The time is now to supercharge this agenda. We recognise the Federal Government’s substantial investment in the Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia.
“Supercharging initiatives like the Mobile Black Spot Program, the On-Farm Connectivity Program, Regional Roads Australia Mobile Program and the Regional Tech Hub will be critical coming into the next federal election,” Mr Jochinke said.
Mr Jochinke said systemic frustration with connectivity in rural areas has blown up following the 3G network shutdown.
“It’s the perfect storm for farmers at the moment – navigating mobile blackspots, changes to service quality and the loss of some coverage which wasn’t guaranteed post 3G shutdown while managing harvest logistics and bushfire season.
“It’s an incredibly busy and stressful time of year and throw connectivity issues into the mix and you have farmers fed up to the back teeth.”
Mr Jochinke told Sheep Central this week the NFF is hearing service has changed significantly for many people post the 3G shutdown.
“The NFF continues to support individual cases through the Regional Tech Hub, but rural connectivity will also be a prominent issue we take to the election.
“Government and service providers must work harder to fix blackspots, develop a Regional Telecommunications Strategy, expand the National Audit of Mobile Coverage to provide accurate coverage data for farming properties,” he said.
“Telecommunications are not a luxury.
“People in the bush should be on a level playing with their city counterparts,” Mr Jochinke said.
“Reliable phone and internet coverage is essential to emergency response and safety, as well as healthcare, education and business operations.
The NFF made a commitment to hold providers accountable to equal or improved coverage in guaranteed areas, and we will continue to raise issues with providers until they’re resolved.”
Mr Jochinke also noted RTIRC recommendation 11 that recommended “comprehensive independent monitoring and public reporting during large-scale telecommunications transitions, such as mobile technology switch offs and the migrations required for modernising the USO. The ACMA could be well-placed to perform this role.”
But Mr Jochinke said people need to report their issues – either to their provider so they can investigate, but if that don’t want to do that, to Regional Tech Hub.
“It’s hard to hold telcos to account without good examples.”
NFF Telecommunications Committee chair Peter Thompson urged farmers to be vocal about issues they’ve encountered since the change.
He said Telstra and Optus committed to 4G equivalence to their mapped coverage and tested and signed off on this commitment prior to closing their networks.
He urged anyone experiencing issues to contact their provider, such as Telstra or Optus.
“If your provider doesn’t know your issue, they can’t help you,” Mr Thompson said.
Mr Thompson said he got in touch with his provider after experiencing connectivity issues and was told the problem was separate to the 3G shutdown and was instead a local tower issue.
“We have to let the providers know where the issues are and have patience around the fact that the 4G technology is technology that we’ve had for a long-time, it’s just a matter of fine-tuning; it’s more than likely something that needs to be fine-tuned rather than a total disaster.
“We know waiting on hold is the last thing any farmer wants to do, but contacting your provider or the Regional Tech Hub is the best way to get the problem fixed,” Mr Thompson said.
“The Regional Tech Hub is totally independent and is geared up to help.
“They can escalate any issues with providers and can also give independent advice on product purchases.
“Make sure that you contact the Regional Tech Hub with details on the issues you are having, like the timing and location of the problem.
“They can tell you if a simple solution would help, like changing an antenna from a 3G to a 4G capable device.”
Telstra contact options
Telstra customers can get in touch with My Telstra
Chat with Telstra via Chat now
Call 13 22 00 (say “3G Shutdown” when prompted for a streamlined intake)
Optus contact options
Chat with Optus via: Contact us – Optus
Call 133 937
Regional Tech Hub, free independent connectivity advice
1300 081 029
Or book an appointment online at www.regionaltechhub.org.au
After multiple useless calls to people with poor English I think they are designed to frustrate you till you give up.
From the Enngonia district in New South Wales north to the Queensland border from Bourke often goes out of service. Trouble is, they can’t phone out when it’s not working. I’ve brought this to the attention of the local federal member without even receiving a call back from him. Maybe his phone was out too. It has been reported the services seems to be less reliable since 3G was turned off. Everyone is too busy to keep following it up. Please Just fix it telco. It can be dangerous without service in these more remote areas.