CELL PHONE AND INTERNET PROVISION IN RURAL SOUTHLAND
In early 2007, Wyndham-Mokoreta resident Rosanne Lawson spearheaded a community campaign lobbying for improved telecommunications in her local Mokoreta area. The Mokoreta area is fraught with ‘dead spots’ and has very limited cell phone coverage. Although internet services had improved with the introduction of Woosh Wireless, there was still a significant area which was ‘stuck’ with dial up and could not access broadband internet.
The campaign quickly grew as it became obvious that this was an issue of significant importance to a vast number and variety of people, businesses and communities. The campaign spread within the Southland District to include the Toetoes, Te Tipua and Waihopai wards, as well as into neighbouring South Otago and the Clutha District.
It was also noted that the popularity of the Southern Southland area (Southern Scenic Route) is significantly growing. It is estimated that up to 100,000 visitors are currently visiting or passing through the area, all requiring a basic level of telecommunications.
It was at this stage that Venture Southland came on board, to not only assist Mrs Lawson with her campaign, but to facilitate the undertaking of a survey of the local community in this area and a public meeting on September 24 2007. Approximately 200 people attended the successful Wyndham meeting and had an opportunity to let providers know the impact that poor telecommunication services were having on their lives.
The objective of this survey was to gain an insight into the current telecommunication needs of people living in the Southern Southland area. This objective has been achieved with results showing that a lack of cell phone coverage alongside a lack of broadband internet services is having a negative impact on rural people. This impact is not only in terms of an ‘inconvenience’, but also in terms of rural people being unable to operate their farms, businesses and lives the way they want or need to. All New Zealanders should have access to ubiquitous and affordable telecommunications, whether they live in urban or rural areas. The challenge now is to identify ways to achieve this.
At the time of this survey being undertaken, the Ministry of Economic Development was undertaking a review of the Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO) regulatory framework. A discussion document regarding the TSO framework recognises the need to address the shortfalls in the availability of broadband Internet services to rural parts of New Zealand, and includes the possibility of introducing a broadband TSO (or Kiwi Share Obligation). Although this discussion document does not represent Government policy at this stage, it has an important part to play and is a step in the right direction. It is with this in mind that the following recommendation is suggested:
- that the TSO regulatory framework provide ubiquitous and affordable telecommunication services to rural areas where it is most needed
- these services will include broadband internet services and cell phone coverage
- it is also essential that telecommunication providers, local communities and local government organisations now move forward in partnership in order to identify and implement solutions.