3G network closure: National Farmers Federation and GrainGrowers turn up heat on farmer concerns

Advocacy groups have turned up the heat on the impact of the 3G shutdown, as the federal government admitted the issues surrounding it were “very real”.

The Albanese Labor government has conceded some regional areas are worse off after the 3G phone network shutdown as farmers turn to boosters to regain suitable connectivity.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in federal parliament this week she was receiving weekly updates from Telstra and Optus on the problems being experienced on the ground since the shutdown last October.

Responding to a question from Indi MP Helen Haines, Ms Rowland said: “It is very real. I am monitoring this very closely.

“I’ve made it clear to service providers the expectation that the 3G switchover will deliver on these benefits.”

Ms Rowland’s response coincided with a Senate inquiry public hearing where NFF general manager of rural affairs Charlotte Wundersitz said there were “widespread reports of reduced service availability and quality”.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland responds to concerns about the 3G network shutdown during Question Time in Canberra on Wednesday. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“We have said repeatedly that the situation on the ground is a safety issue and a productivity issue,” she said.

“With the shutdown coinciding with both harvest and fire danger season, rural communities are bearing the full weight of this fact.

“Farmers have been left with no choice but to fork out for expensive boosters, antennas. Those who already had appropriate equipment have spent countless hours navigating complex software upgrades.

“This isn’t the first major telecommunications transition in Australia, and it certainly won’t be the last.

“We cannot accept rural consumers as collateral damage of a process which first and foremost benefits city residents and providers’ bottom lines.”

The 3G network was shutdown last October in a blow for some parts of regional Australia.

GrainGrowers advocacy and rural affairs manager Sean Cole said poor telecommunications could not be overstated.

“The 3G shutdown has comparatively put us well behind urban areas, with growers frustrated they are paying for services they simply cannot access,” he said.

“It is not as though growers have not tried to rectify the situation.

“Many of our members have invested heavily in mobile boosters and other technology workarounds, but they are simply unable to address the overwhelming need for better technology.”