On 14 February 2022 the Australian Government tabled the 2021 Regional Telecommunications Review report A step change in demand.
The Regional Telecommunications Review is a statutory review undertaken every three years to examine the adequacy of telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote Australia. In 2021 the Review Committee was chaired by the Hon Luke Hartsuyker.
The Review Committee received a record breaking 658 written submissions, along with strong feedback from 24 online consultation sessions attended by almost 500 people.
The extensive feedback provided by regional Australians was key in developing the findings and the recommendations of the report.
The 2021 Hartsuyker Review identifies 16 key findings and makes 12 recommendations in relation to Australian, state, territory and local government investment in digital connectivity, the reliability and resilience of regional services, the ongoing ‘step change’ in data usage, and consumer literacy and digital inclusion.
The Government will respond to the report’s recommendations.
Responses to previous Regional Telecommunications Reviews have delivered impactful initiatives like the Regional Connectivity Program, the Mobile Black Spot Program and the Universal Service Guarantee.