The challenges and opportunities of delivering wireless high speed broadband services in Rural and Remote Australia: A Case Study of Western Downs
📝 Abstract
This paper critically assesses wireless broadband internet infrastructure, in the rural and remote communities of WDR in terms of supply, demand and utilisation. Only 8 of 20 towns have ADSL/ADSL2+, and only 3 towns have 4G mobile network coverage. Conversely all of the towns have 2G/3G mobile network coverage but have problems with speed, reliability of service and capacity to handle data traffic loads at peak times. Satellite broadband internet for remote areas is also patchy at best. Satisfaction with existing wireless broadband internet services is highly variable across rural and remote communities in WDR. Finally we provide suggestions to improve broadband internet access for rural and remote communities. Public and private investment and sharing of wired and wireless broadband internet infrastructure is needed to provide the backhaul networks and 4G mobile and fixed wireless services to ensure high speed, reliable and affordable broadband services for rural and remote communities.
💡 Analysis
This paper critically assesses wireless broadband internet infrastructure, in the rural and remote communities of WDR in terms of supply, demand and utilisation. Only 8 of 20 towns have ADSL/ADSL2+, and only 3 towns have 4G mobile network coverage. Conversely all of the towns have 2G/3G mobile network coverage but have problems with speed, reliability of service and capacity to handle data traffic loads at peak times. Satellite broadband internet for remote areas is also patchy at best. Satisfaction with existing wireless broadband internet services is highly variable across rural and remote communities in WDR. Finally we provide suggestions to improve broadband internet access for rural and remote communities. Public and private investment and sharing of wired and wireless broadband internet infrastructure is needed to provide the backhaul networks and 4G mobile and fixed wireless services to ensure high speed, reliable and affordable broadband services for rural and remote communities.
📄 Content
Australasian Conference on Information Systems
Tiwari et al.
2015, Adelaide
Wireless Broadband in Rural & Remote Australia
The challenges and opportunities of delivering wireless
high speed broadband services in Rural and Remote
Australia: A Case Study of Western Downs Region (WDR)
Sanjib Tiwari
Australian Digital Futures Institute
University of Southern Queensland
Queensland, Australia
Email: sanjib.tiwari@usq.edu.au
Michael Lane
School of Management and Enterprises
University of Southern Queensland
Queensland, Australia
Email: michael.lane@usq.edu.au
Khorshed Alam
School of Commerce
University of Southern Queensland
Queensland, Australia
Email: khorshed.alam@usq.edu.au
Abstract
This paper critically assesses wireless broadband internet infrastructure, in the rural and remote
communities of WDR in terms of supply, demand and utilisation. Only 8 of 20 towns have
ADSL/ADSL2+, and only 3 towns have 4G mobile network coverage. Conversely all of the towns have
2G/3G mobile network coverage but have problems with speed, reliability of service and capacity to
handle data traffic loads at peak times. Satellite broadband internet for remote areas is also patchy at
best. Satisfaction with existing wireless broadband internet services is highly variable across rural and
remote communities in WDR. Finally we provide suggestions to improve broadband internet access
for rural and remote communities. Public and private investment and sharing of wired and wireless
broadband internet infrastructure is needed to provide the backhaul networks and 4G mobile and
fixed wireless services to ensure high speed, reliable and affordable broadband services for rural and
remote communities.
Keywords
Broadband internet, Wireless network, rural and remote.
1 INTRODUCTION
Still broadband internet penetration and use in rural and remote area of developed countries such as
USA, UK, Canada and Australia has been much lower compared to the urban areas of these countries
(ABS 2014; Dwivedi et al. 2010b; Grubesic 2012; Kawade and Nekovee 2012; Prieger 2013; Rajabiun
and Middleton 2013). An assessment of existing telecommunication network infrastructure in rural
and remote communities reveals a low level of broadband penetration with many black spots where
telecommunication infrastructure do not exist. A combination of poor telecommunications
infrastructure coverage, low population density, inadequate regulation, and a focus by
telecommunications companies on high-cost technologies designed for urban markets makes Internet
connectivity in many parts of the rural and remote area a complex and costly proposition (Arai et al.
2012; Grubesic 2012; Hill et al. 2014; Kawade and Nekovee 2012). Due to inadequate information and
communication infrastructure and facilities in rural and remote area, the digital divide between rural
and remote communities and urban communities is widening (Park et al. 2015; Willis and Tranter
2006).
To overcome this situation, in USA American Federal Communication Commission has driven the
uptake of faster rates of data transfer practically anywhere, either over 4G cellular wireless or over
satellite (Titch 2013). Similarly, European countries such as Germany, France, Ireland, UK have
utilized mix of broadband technology (wired and wireless LTE technology such as 4G/ WiMAX) to
optimize the cost of the broadband networks and maximise the reach to the rural and remote
households to make broadband a feasible offering in sparsely populated areas (EC 2014).
Australasian Conference on Information Systems
Tiwari et al.
2015, Adelaide
Wireless Broadband in Rural & Remote Australia
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the wireless broadband infrastructure in rural and remote
Australia in terms of supply, demand and utilisation. To the authors knowledge this study is the first
attempt to develop an in-depth profile of wireless broadband supply demand and utilisation in rural
and remote Australia. Researchers believe that this case study of Western Downs Region (WDR) could
be extended to other rural and remote parts of the Australia to obtain more complete picture of the
wireless broadband infrastructure and digital divide that exists within rural and remote areas due to
variability and availability of broadband technologies providing broadband connectivity. The research
was conducted in two phases, using a mixed methods approach in an in-depth case study of WDR.
Firstly a descriptive evaluation of the digital infrastructure available in study area was conducted,
followed by a large scale of survey of households in rural and remote communities in WDR. This study
provides a clearer picture of current wireless broadband internet infrastructure in rural and regional
Australia particularly WDR in terms of access, speed and availability. This study also captured
households’ attitudes and perceptions current wireless broadband internet services in co
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