Internet access poor for many in the SW

The reliability of internet services is one of the recurring themes heard by the Regional Telecommunications Review Committee, according to chairman Sean Edwards.

The committee met with South West residents and stakeholders at Koombana Bay Sailing Club on Tuesday to hear of any telecommunications issues in the region.

Mr Edwards said the reliability of and access to regular internet services was a common theme of the discussions.

“The Black Spot program continues to roll out and largely the highways have been addressed but now we are talking about how we get access to those more poorly served in lesser built-up regional areas,” he said.

“Some of those areas are geographically challenged in terms of mountain ranges and hills.

“So the question is how you overcome those from a technological point of view.”

Mr Edwards said the South West was unique in having an independent person to help people make the right decision in terms of service providers and connecting to the NBN.

“That is a fabulous way to bring the community up to speed very quickly,” he said.

“In fact we will be using it as a case study in our review.”

Mike Hendry, who is the South West’s independent NBN adviser, said his role was to educate people on the best way to connect to the NBN.

“I am not beholden to any telco provider and I am not employed by the NBN, although I have had some training,” he said.

“I am funded independently by the South West Development Commission so I can operate without interference on theses issues.”

Mr Hendry can be contacted at info@nbnadvice.com.au.