Telecommunications

Access to affordable and reliable telecommunications services is a key issue for farmers and rural communities. Member surveys have found rural telecommunications services to be inadequate, with internet and mobile services of greatest concern. These concerning findings, and the proposed further privatisation of Telstra, led the Association to launch its largest ever campaign – the T3 Campaign – run with the slogan T3=Disconnected, Deserted and Disrespected.

The T3 Campaign was launched in Warren in February 2005, with two regional tours in the T3 Campaign bus allowing the Association to hear first-hand from farmers and small business owners the state of telecommunications in their towns. The tours exposed the range of problems still plaguing so much of NSW. The most common problems reported were installation and repair times; ongoing significant problems with CDMA Wireless Local Loop (landline); and mobile phone and internet access and reliability. These findings were supported by the results of the Association’s T3 survey, conducted in June 2005.  In addition to frequent reports of service issues, the survey found that 80% of farmers surveyed oppose the further privatisation of Telstra.

With five new telecommunications policies endorsed by the Association’s Executive Council in May 2005, the Association will continue its lobbying effort to ensure that these policies can be successfully implemented.

Telecommunications Update

NSW Farmers Association has been an extremely active participant in the telecommunications debate. The Association’s Next G survey was a factor in the recent announcement that the proposed switch-off of the CDMA network would be postponed by three months.

• For information on the Association’s Next G Survey, please click here...
• For information on Next G, please click here...
• For information on Next G Wireless Link, please click here...
• For a copy of the Association’s Telecommunications Update, please click here...

Related Issues

• CDMA: Next G
  The Australian Government has issued a draft licence condition to Telstra requiring them to keep the CDMA network open until the Next G network provides equivalent or better coverage and services.  Telstra had previously announced that CDMA would be ‘switched off’ 28 January 2008.  The Australian Communications and Media Authority will be undertaking independent coverage audits of both the CDMA and Next G networks.  Whilst blackspots can continue to be reported through Telstra’s Blackspots/Brightspots initiative (see below), the Australian Government has just launched a Next G Customer Support Unit on freecall 1800 883 488.  The Customer Support Unit aims to ensure that consumers are able to repot any probems they are experiencing with the switch to Next G.
   

• Broadband Internet Briefing Note
  Telstra has indicated its intent to cease providing ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) internet plans as of 31 December 2008. The issue of broadband internet services can be highly confusing to customers, with many different Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) offering a range of different plans, at a range of different prices, over various contract lengths. To add to the confusion, there is also the issue of the availability of subsidies to reduce the cost of internet plans to those who do not have access to a metro-comparable broadband service and how to determine whether you are eligible for these subsidies. This briefing note aims to shed some light on this area and provide members with a clear path of action to assist you to make an educated choice regarding the ISP and plan that will most suit your requirements.

• BroadbandNow
  Located within the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, is a one-stop consumer help centre targeted at people living and working in regional and remote Australia. BroadbandNow will provide information for consumers on a range of Broadband topics including: how to obtain access broadband, what each of the various technologies means for consumers; and whether individual consumers are eligible for government assistance programs such as the Australian Broadband Guarantee. There is a dedicated website (www.broadbandnow.gov.au) and call centre on 1800 883 488 Monday to Friday 8am-9pm EST to access BroadbandNow.

• Reporting Blackspots
  The Telstra website now includes a section where you can provide feedback on mobile blackspots.  You can report a blackspot where Telstra indicates it has mobile or wireless coverage but it does not perform to expectations, such as the line may drop out, the call may have poor reception or there may be little or no reception at all.  You can also report ‘bright spots’ if your expectations have been exceeded and you have found mobile or wireless coverage in an area where you have never experienced it at all.  Click here to go to Reporting Blackspot section...

• Do Not Call Register
  The Do Not Call Register is being set up by the Australian Government in response to community concern about the growth in unsolicited telemarketing calls.

  The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for the Do Not Call Register under the Do Not Call Register Act 2006. The Act covers telemarketing calls from within Australia and from overseas.

  Generally, it will be against the law to make unsolicited telemarketing calls to a number listed on the Do Not Call Register. This is subject to some limited exemptions which allow certain public interest organisations to make specific types of telemarketing calls to numbers on the register. Further information on exemptions follows under ‘Who will still be able to call’.

  ACMA has also determined and will enforce an industry standard for telemarketing and research calls. Together, the register and industry standard are designed to minimise and regulate unsolicited telemarketing calls in Australia.  Click here to go to the Do Not Register web site to find out more and to registrer...

• Telstra Payphones
  Telstra recently announced that it is considering the removal of up to 5 000 public payphones across Australia.  The Association is concerned about the impact of this proposal on rural and remote NSW, and is seeking confirmation that the payphones earmarked for decommissioning are not part of Telstra’s payphone obligations under the Universal Service Obligation.  Telstra has now published guidelines to inform local communities about public payphones that are candidates for removal, and about how to provide feedback to the company.  Members concerned about the potential loss of services are invited to contact Telstra through an online feedback form available at www.telstra.com.au/payphoneservices/contactus.htm; by calling 1800 011 433; or writing to Payphone Siting Manager, Locked Bag 6658, Sydney, NSW, 1100.  Telstra has publicly committed to specifically taking into account the response of local communities, including representations from local government, members of parliament and community groups, so it is important that if your community is concerned about its payphone services you have your say.

• Transition from CDMA to 3G
  Telstra announced in November 2005 that a single national ‘3G’ network will be deployed over the next three years using the CDMA frequency of 850MHz.  This will involve a gradual phase-out of the CDMA network currently being utilised by many farmers across rural and remote NSW.  Click here for a copy of Telstra’s answers to Frequently Asked Questions about 3G.

• Telecommunications
  A damning survey recently released by the NSW Farmers’ Association has confirmed fears that telecommunication services are far from ‘up to scratch’, with more than half of respondents still reporting major problems and 80% voicing their opposition to the proposed further privatisation of Telstra. Click here to view the survey results.