That ICPA (Aust) continues to lobby the Minister for Communications to ensure all communication providers fulfil their Universal Service Guarantee (USG) obligations in the provision and functionality of essential communication services that are reliable, fit for purpose and are maintained at a fully functioning standard to enable the delivery of rural and remote education.
Remote communities of Queensland and the Northern Territory recently experienced the failure of essential communication services at critical times and for extended periods, leaving remote families in a state of true isolation. With the inability to fly, drive or even walk to safety, it is critical that these remote areas are protected and supported for both human safety and for the continuum of education.
Case Study 1 This family lost internet and mobile connections due to a flooding event and their landlines had been problematic for some time before the event. The family was evacuated and post the event, the parents returned home to begin recovery clean up while the child remained in town with the Home Tutor. Communication during this time was sporadic with the child’s family; however, to ensure minimal disruption to schooling the child and home tutor could not return home until communications had been restored.
Case Study 2 Due to extended rain periods and cloud cover, all communication - mobile/landline/internet - were problematic. Landlines and mobile then became non-operational as batteries that power equipment were not receiving enough sun to remain charged. For the majority of Term 1 the student had little to no contact with their DE teacher and could only attend online lessons sporadically (the internet would work one day but not the next, or part of one day and due to mobile outage they could not hotspot to get coverage, either). Systems are now working well in Term 2.
