The National Farmers Federation recently presented the Senate committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport with a detailed account of the impacts of the 3G network shutdown. This move comes in response to the concerns raised by regional Australians regarding a decline in coverage following the shutdown.
The shutdown of the 3G network by Telstra and Optus was initiated in October 2024, with the promise of delivering equivalent or improved coverage to consumers. However, three months down the line, farmers are still grappling with connectivity issues, prompting them to invest significant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 in equipment upgrades to mitigate the impact of the shutdown.
Charlie Thomas, the acting CEO of the NFF, expressed the ongoing concerns of farming families who have been adversely affected by the shutdown. He highlighted the challenges faced by farmers in accessing basic connectivity, emphasizing the safety and productivity implications of the situation. With the shutdown coinciding with critical periods such as harvest and fire danger season, rural communities are facing significant challenges in maintaining effective communication networks.
To underscore the real-life consequences of the shutdown, Mr. Thomas shared three specific cases of producers who have been directly impacted. Grain producer Scott Loughnan from Muckadilla, Queensland, highlighted the difficulties faced by local farmers in communicating while carting grain during harvest due to the loss of coverage on the Warrego Highway. Similarly, a mixed livestock and cropping farmer from southern New South Wales detailed the financial strain of investing in boosters and equipment upgrades to address coverage dropouts post-shutdown. The Knuth family, operating a cattle business in Charters Towers, experienced a drastic reduction in reliable mobile coverage on their property, leading to challenges during calving season and hampering the efficiency of their operations.
The NFF’s submission to the Senate committee serves as a crucial reminder of the far-reaching implications of the 3G network shutdown on rural communities and agricultural businesses. The testimonies provided by affected producers underscore the urgent need for telecommunications providers to fulfill their commitment to delivering reliable and improved coverage to regional areas.
Moving forward, it is imperative for stakeholders to work collaboratively towards addressing the challenges posed by the network shutdown and ensuring that farmers and rural communities have access to robust communication infrastructure. By prioritizing the needs of regional Australians and implementing effective solutions, we can safeguard the safety, productivity, and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural sector in the face of evolving technological changes.
