The Federal Government has highlighted its efforts to improve telecommunications in the South West after it was revealed businesses in the region were struggling with “poor” services.
Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed the results of a survey of 26 members in relation to telecommunication services in the region to Federal Parliament’s Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts last month.
The survey found 42 per cent of businesses thought their services were “poor”, while another 46 per cent though services were only “OK”.
An astonishing 88 per cent of respondents said the lack of reliable communications had made it difficult to talk to customers and suppliers, with up to 80 per cent experiencing issues including limited mobile coverage and slow internet speeds.
Chief executive Julie Broad said the challenges had led to “tangible consequences” for members.
“Decreased productivity, loss of income and customer dissatisfaction were commonly cited outcomes of an inadequate telecommunications infrastructure,” she said.
In response to the results of the survey, Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland noted the Government’s commitment to improving telecommunications in regional Australia.
“The Australian Government is committed to increasing connectivity, bridging the digital divide, improving mobile coverage and protecting communities against natural disaster, including across regional Western Australia,” she said.
Ms Rowland said the Federal Government had allocated $2.2 billion towards regional telecommunications investment with $400 million of the funding to primarily go towards efforts to improve coverage in regional and remote communities and on regional roads.
“Early this year, the Government opened the application process for round three of the regional connectivity program and round seven of the mobile black spot program following a public consultation process,” Ms Rowland said.
“All councils and Members of Parliament have been notified of the open funding round and are able to work with carriers and communities to develop and submit applications for funding.”
The Federal Government has also allocated an additional $2.4 billion towards upgrading 1.5 million locations nationally to receive higher internet speeds, with more than 660,000 of those in regional Australia.
“This investment means around 90 per cent of homes across the NBN fixed line footprint will have access to gigabit speeds by late 2025,” Ms Rowland said.
“Parts of 17 towns or suburbs across the South West region of Western Australia have now been announced as eligible for upgrades to full-fibre on demand, including Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River and Manjimup.
“Further eligible locations across Australia will be identified early next year.”
Ms Broad said chamber members believed government, providers and businesses must work together to address the issues.