National Convergence or Localism? Rural and Remote Communications

Abstract

In 1985, when the Aussat domestic satellites were launched, there was considerable political hope that this new form of communications technology would help to minimise some of the communications disadvantages experienced by Australians living in rural and remote areas. However, a crucial problem with Aussat and other communications services conceived of as metropolitan solutions to rural and remote disadvantage is that the distinct communications needs of rural and remote Australians were not sufficiently addressed. The Remote Commercial Television Services are a good example of this. Specific services, like ABC Regional Radio, have also begun to blur the line between metropolitan and regional. In 1997, the federal government introduced Networking the Nation, a funding initiative that aims to improve telecommunications infrastructure and access in rural and remote Australia. To date, 96 projects have received funding. Networking the Nation stresses that there must be community input into all projects. It is too early to assess how successful this has been, but some examples of projects funded are discussed.