Rural regions have long been the victims of connectivity issues across the board, with interrupted phone lines, internet connectivity and power outages a common occurrence across the Western Plains.

The upcoming Independent Regional Telecommunications Review offers a tempting shot for long neglected communities to finally be heard by the planners at the federal Department of Communications.

The review, which is accepting submissions until September 30, is tasked with hearing the concerns and experiences surrounding telecommunications of people living and working in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. 

In 2013, the announcement of a Mobile Blackspot Program was implemented to improve mobile coverage across regional Australia, with an investment of $380 million into building new telecommunication infrastructure.

The new infrastructure was also said to deliver higher speed wireless broadband to rural properties. 

The promise of improved telecommunication access brought hope to local communities across the region, including four base stations promised for the Central West in Kickabil, Gin Gin, Haddon Rig and Mullengudgery.

The base stations, however, were not to be, with the areas instead receiving a ‘Small Cell’ or ‘Macro Cell’, which are designed to extend the reach of existing signal towers in towns where coverage exists. 

Karen Wilson of ‘Woodlea’ has expressed her disappointment at a project that offered such promise after the installation in Kickabil. 

“They installed the cell at the Kickabil exchange, where the closest house is five kilometres away and hasn’t benefitted them whatsoever,” said Mrs Wilson. 

Located in a complete black spot for mobile coverage, Mrs Wilson is disappointed that the installations were done for the sake of “ticking the boxes”.

“They aren’t fully aware that it’s not benefitting any of us,” she said. 

While the program promised over 1,200 new mobile base stations across the country, many of the announced locations set to benefit were later announced to be cancelled indefinitely. 

Unfortunately, the Pilliga Forest was one of the sacrificed base stations, ‘due to unforeseen technical, site acquisition or planning approval issues’.

Earlier this year, an upgrade to the Coonamble Telstra tower interrupted the connection of residents and businesses across the space of a week, affecting internet performance, mobile service, and EFTPOS operations. 

The town’s reliance on the one network is reminiscent of most towns across the Western Plains, as are their frequent issues with telecommunications services. 

As work and school progressively relies more and more on the capability to work remotely, there is no more room for outback connection issues to go unheard and unresolved. 

If you wish for your experience to contribute to the review, visit the Review's website.