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By Angie Mcgregor

An outback pub, local RSL clubs, TAFE colleges and hotel function centres were just some of the venues where officers of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts presented broadband briefing sessions to regional Australians.

The sessions were to inform Australians in rural, regional and remote parts of the country about the benefits of broadband, and to help them take advantage of Australian Government initiatives established to improve broadband services in regional areas.

The briefings proved popular with locals, who learnt what broadband can do for their community, and had their questions answered. The sessions were all well attended, with around 40 people in each audience. And people drove hundreds of kilometres to be involved.

Key local stakeholders such as members of chambers of commerce, representatives from education and health sectors, Internet service providers (ISPs) and small business owners were invited. They can now spread the word across their communities.

Interested citizens also attended to learn more about broadband from a consumer's perspective.

More than 30 briefing sessions were held in regional Australia throughout 2004 and 2005, reaching as far as Broome, Launceston, Broken Hill and Rockhampton.

Audiences are being told about programs such as the Higher Bandwidth Incentive Scheme (HiBIS), Demand Aggregation Brokers program and the projects under the Coordinated Communications Infrastructure Fund.

HiBIS providers such as Neighbourhood Cable, based in Mildura, found the briefings to be a great opportunity to talk to potential customers about their HiBIS services. A number of demand aggregation brokers at both the state and community levels also attended the briefings, with many giving impromptu speeches to inform participants about their activities.

Broadband connectivity has improved the quality of life for many Australians in regional areas.

A particular area of improvement is in employment options presented by teleworking. The briefing sessions gave attendees examples of how teleworking has changed people's lives.

Broadband connectivity meant that Julie Kite, a mother of two who moved from Adelaide to a remote location, could continue working with Harvey World Travel as a co-manager of the Adelaide franchise. Being able to work from home gives Julie a better family and work balance, as time is not wasted on travel. Julie is able to do her work when it is most convenient for her. For example she often works before breakfast or when her children have gone to bed.

As well as bringing benefits to employees, broadband allows regional businesses to compete on a global scale. Using broadband, businesses in the regions can market to a world-wide audience.

For more information on the broadband briefings or HiBIS, please contact HiBIS on 02 6271 7068 or visit www.telinfo.gov.au

• Document ID: 31089 |
• Last modified: 6 February 2008, 11:53am