The fight for improved telecommunications in the Top End

The Northern Territory requires better telecommunications and tourism infrastructure, according to the government.

Minister for Corporate and Information Services Lauren Moss will argue the case for more federal government funding for telecommunications services in regional and remote NT communities.

“All Territorians are entitled to access to high-quality services. Investment in telecommunications will create jobs and economic opportunities and improve access to health and education services,” Moss said.

Moss plans to meet with Fiona Nash, Minister for Regional Development and Local Government and Territories, to discuss the issue.

The main topics to be discussed include:

• Whether more of the Australian Government’s mobile blackspot program’s funds should be allocated to the NT. This is also an important safety issue for tourists travelling in remote parts of the Territory.
• A proposal to deliver the nbn to 34 NT communities via optic fibre rather than the technically inferior satellite service, which can be unreliable.
• Reliable landline voice services, so that when satellite services are down people still have voice communications, and that pay phones, in remote and regional communities, be maintained.

“I’ll be updating [Minister Nash] on the $30 million co-investment program that the Territory government is rolling out with Telstra, a program that is ensuring some of our most remote communities have access to mobile and broadband services,” said Moss.

“The federal government has committed to developing Northern Australia and to Closing the Gap on Aboriginal Australian disadvantage — investment in telecommunications is integral to achieving both of these.”

Moss will also meet with Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steve Ciobo to press for federal government investment to upgrade tourism infrastructure in Kakadu.

Image credit: ©alphaspirit/Dollar Photo Club

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