Telecommunications
People in remote and rural areas stand to benefit most from the roll-out of more affordable and accessible telecommunications services. Fast and reliable services are becoming increasingly important as central government, local government, banks and service and supply businesses rely on electronic means to deal with farm business.
However, the state of the network in many rural areas is poor and is in dire need of substantial investment from both government and telecommunications companies.
Federated Farmers is working to ensure that any moves to regulate the telecommunications market will deliver quality and affordable telecommunications for the 80,000 farmers and growers that New Zealand depends upon.
Telecommunications Service Obligation Review
When the telecommunications sector was privatised in the 1990s, the government made sure consumers could continue to rely on free local calling and an emergency 111 service. This social obligation was enshrined in the Telecommunications Service Obligation (TSO).
The TSO has clearly failed to deliver adequate telecommunications services to many remote and rural users. The standard of services provided under the TSO has been much lower than those experienced by users in more densely populated urban areas.
The government is currently reviewing the TSO to see whether there is a better way of subsidising local calling services in rural areas, as well as whether there needs to be a TSO to ensure broadband is rolled out across rural areas.
Federated Farmers is determined to see the TSO and other initiatives support the delivery of improved telecommunications services to all New Zealanders.
Spokesman
The Federation spokesman for telecommunications is Donald Aubrey. You can contact him by email daubrey@fedfarm.org.nz, or on 027 623 7157.
The policy advisor for telecommunications is William McGimpsey. He can be contacted on 0800 327 646 or wmcgimpsey@fedfarm.org.nz.
