The National Rural Health Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen, giving evidence on 23 July 2024 before the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on the shutdown of the 3G mobile network, highlighted the concerns of rural communities who will be negatively impacted by the move.
“Low-quality connectivity outside of Australia’s cities is an ongoing issue. This is exacerbated by the 3G network shutdown for people living in rural areas,” said Ms Tegen.
She added that Governments’ investment in digital technologies and infrastructure has increasingly provided opportunities for both economic and social benefit. However, for many people living in rural Australia, these benefits cannot be realised without fit-for-purpose, reliable telephone, internet and Global Positioning System connections that are both accessible and affordable.
Ms Tegen said that Australia’s primary health care is supported by a number of digital health initiatives that rely on good-quality mobile network connectivity. A key initiative is telehealth which enables the patient to consult a healthcare provider where there are no local health services available, or where in-person consultation is not feasible.
“This telehealth service relies on the availability and effectiveness of telecommunications connectivity,” Ms Tegen pointed out.