Communication Services in Remote Indigenous Communities

Abstract

Access to and use of modern communication services in remote Indigenous communities in Australia lags considerably behind that in the rest of Australia because of inadequate supply arrangements and prevalent economic and social conditions. This article presents some findings of research on the availability and use of telephone and internet services in remote Indigenous communities in central Australia. The research involved the collection of community-wide data on the availability of telephone and internet services as well as details of individual user experience in the use of those services. In evaluating the findings, the article suggests potential improvements to programs for the delivery of better communication services in remote communities.