How can I get access to better internet in a rural area?

In Plain English:

Based on the provided documents, here's what you should know about getting better internet in rural areas:

• Government Focus: The Australian government is interested in improving mobile and internet coverage in regional, rural, and remote areas.
• ACCC Inquiry: The Telecommunications (ACCC Inquiry into Access to Regional Towers and Associated Infrastructure) Direction 2022 directs the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to investigate access to infrastructure (like mobile towers) in these areas. This includes looking at temporary mobile roaming during emergencies.
• Regional Broadband Scheme: The government has a Regional Broadband Scheme to fund fixed wireless and satellite broadband services in regional areas.
• Statutory Infrastructure Providers (SIPs): SIPs have obligations to connect premises to telecommunications networks. However, there are exceptions, such as when construction isn't advanced enough, the premises don't comply with planning laws, or there are topographical impediments.
• Fibre-readiness: For new developments, there are rules about installing "fibre-ready" facilities to support optical fibre lines.
• Superfast Broadband Access Service (SBAS): The ACCC has declared the SBAS as a 'declared service' to improve access to superfast broadband.
• NBN Services: If you're getting an NBN service, the provider must assess the line capability and advise you of the maximum attainable speed. If the speed isn't what you expected, you may be able to move to a lower-priced plan or exit the contract.

In short, the government is working to improve rural internet, but there can be challenges related to infrastructure, location, and the specific rules that apply to providers.

Detailed Explanation:

Several pieces of legislation and regulatory activity aim to improve telecommunications services in regional and rural Australia.

• ACCC Inquiry into Regional Towers: The Telecommunications (ACCC Inquiry into Access to Regional Towers and Associated Infrastructure) Direction 2022 directs the ACCC to conduct a public inquiry into access to towers and associated infrastructure in regional, rural, remote, and peri-urban areas. This inquiry considers:

  • Access to towers and infrastructure for mobile and radiocommunications services.
  • The feasibility of temporary mobile roaming during natural disasters.
  • Costs associated with providing and accessing towers and infrastructure.
  • The impact of mobile carriers divesting their tower businesses.

• Regional Broadband Scheme: The Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer) Act 2020 establishes a Regional Broadband Scheme to fund fixed wireless and satellite broadband services. Key aspects include:

  • Definitions of "designated broadband service," "fixed wireless broadband service," and "satellite broadband service".
  • Eligible funding recipients (NBN corporations or carriers determined by the Minister).
  • Contracts and grants for connecting premises to fixed wireless or satellite broadband.

• Fibre-Ready Facilities: The Telecommunications (Fibre-Ready Facilities in Real Estate Development Projects and Other Matters) Instrument 2022 addresses the installation of fibre-ready facilities in new real estate developments. It includes:

  • Exemptions from the requirement to install fibre-ready facilities in certain circumstances (e.g., when it's not reasonably practical due to the land's composition, or for minor supplementations to existing non-fibre-ready facilities).
  • Conditions for these exemptions, such as having a reasonable belief that fibre-ready facilities will be installed within 12 months.

• Wholesale Basis for Superfast Carriage Services: The Telecommunications Act 1997 includes provisions about supplying eligible services (including superfast carriage services) on a wholesale basis. This aims to promote competition. Key sections include:

  • Section 142C: Supply of eligible services to be on a wholesale basis for lines that came into existence on or after the designated commencement date.
  • Section 158: Definition of "local access line".

• Superfast Broadband Access Service (SBAS): The Declaration under subsection 152AL(3) of Competition and Consumer Act 2010 - Superfast Broadband Access Service declares the SBAS as a 'declared service'.

• NBN Service Migration: The Telecommunications Service Provider (NBN Service Migration) Determination 2018 includes consumer protections related to NBN services, such as:

  • Requirements for providing interim services during migration.
  • Line capability assessment for next-generation NBN broadband services.
  • Circumstances where an NBN CSP must not charge a consumer for an NBN service.
  • Requirements when there is unreasonable delay in the supply of an operational NBN service.

• Statutory Infrastructure Providers (SIPs): The Telecommunications (Statutory Infrastructure Providers—Circumstances for Exceptions to Connection and Supply Obligations) Determination 2024 outlines circumstances where SIPs are exempt from connection obligations. These include:

  • Construction not being sufficiently advanced.
  • Premises not complying with planning laws.
  • Topographical or other impediments.
  • Existing connection to another qualifying network.

• Telecommunications Code of Practice 2021: The Telecommunications Code of Practice 2021 outlines industry standards for telecommunications activities, including:

  • Installing subscriber connections.
  • Low-impact facility activities.
  • Maintenance of facilities.

• Class Exemptions: The Telecommunications (Superfast Broadband Network Class Exemption) Determination 2025 provides class exemptions from certain requirements for smaller network operators.