Special report - Rural connectivity
NOT MAKING
THE CONNECTION
ew Zealand’s primary industries are among the most innovative in the world, yet many farming families don’t have access to technology because of poor or non-existent internet coverage, says Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) board member Claire Williamson of Cambridge. Lack of connectivity affects every aspect of their business and personal lives and in some cases, its absence can be fatal. “I personally know of two fairly recent cases where someone has died following a farm accident they may have survived if they had been able to use a cellphone to call for help and that’s heartbreaking.” Angela McLeod, RWNZ Manager, Policy and Leadership Development, says the people who live, work and play in those parts of the country without internet, or with poor cellular coverage, are disadvantaged. “Around 50% of New Zealand’s geography doesn’t have adequate cellular connection,” she says. In its manifesto RWNZ says: “The lack of highspeed quality and affordable telecommunication services in rural New Zealand creates inequity between urban and rural communities. This inequity hinders rural businesses by leaving them unable to undertake basic tasks online and delayed access to resources and information making them less efficient and competitive. “Unstable connectivity is also a critical safety issue in the event of an emergency, accident, crime or adverse event. Large areas of rural New Zealand still do not have mobile phone coverage and are especially vulnerable in a crisis situation. Lack of internet connectivity impedes educational opportunities for rural students.” A recent “Quality of life” research report highlighted rural connectivity as the number one concern for RWNZ members. In fact, says
50
Angela, advocating for better connectivity in rural communities has been among the organisation’s goals since it was founded in 1925. “Back then of course it wasn’t about the internet, but about installing phone lines to every home.” While technology has changed dramatically from party-lines and wall phones, the connectivity issues for rural residents remain the same and many are still being left behind. “Connectivity is an issue we raise every opportunity we get,” Angela says. “We recently met with the Minister for Digital Economy and Communications, David Clark, where we raised the issue again, and he listened. We believe the Government has got to commit to ensuring rural people are connected digitally. “Internet providers and decision makers, including Government, need to understand rural New Zealand in order to rural-proof their policies and plans and ensure digital inclusion for everyone.” One way of doing that is to engage with organisations like RWNZ which know the issues rural families and businesses face, however, Angela and Claire acknowledge there are barriers for internet providers to overcome too. “The telcos say big cellphone towers are really expensive to install and run because they need power to the towers and getting that to them in rural locations can be very expensive,” Angela says. “Someone has to pay for that cost and I think there may be an aversion to the thought that urban cellphone users might have to subsidise rural users so that the cost can be similar.” “If the Government’s goal is digital inclusion for all, then the Government may have to cover the extra expense of delivering connectivity to rural areas so that urban and rural customers pay a similar amount for the service,” Claire says.
Angela McLeod, RWNZ Manager, Policy and Leadership Development.
“
While technology has changed dramatically from party-lines and wall phones, the connectivity issues for rural residents remain the same and many are still being left behind.
“
N
Words by: Elaine Fisher
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | September 2021
