Review to see if bush lags in digital literacy

"You see the impact of distance and income" ... rural telecommunications. Photo: iStock

AN independent review will examine whether people in rural areas are getting the most from the online revolution.
With the government under pressure to improve services in the bush, the Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, last night announced a review of the state of rural telecommunications services.
Rosemary Sinclair, an industry expert who will chair the review, said a key focus would be to investigate whether ''digital literacy'' was lagging in remote areas.

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Rural areas tended to have lower levels of online access, Ms Sinclair said, and this limited people's use of services such as online shopping and health and education services.
''When you look at regional take-up and use compared with city take-up and use, you see the impact of income and distance,'' Ms Sinclair said.
''Are we set up so that everybody can participate in the digital economy? Are people confident and do they have the capabilities?'' Ms Sinclair said.
The national broadband network is an attempt to bridge this divide, but the government is also spending millions of dollars on programs to educate households and businesses about using the web.
Rural telecommunications services have taken on added political significance under the Gillard government, after balance-of-power independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott nominated the national broadband network as a key reason for backing Labor.
Senator Conroy said: ''One in three Australians live in regional areas and the Gillard government recognises the positive role telecommunications can play in supporting regional sustainability, economic development and prosperity.''
Periodic review of rural telecommunications is required by legislation. Recommendations from the previous review, by the former Australian Medical Association head Dr Bill Glasson, led to the $60 million government Digital Regions Initiative to fund online education and health services.


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