Communications Minister Stephen Conroy will make a decision by January 21 on whether to allow Telstra to close its CDMA network – which is used predominantly in rural and regional areas.
Telstra wants to shut the network down on January 28. But Telstra’s licensing conditions state that the company must continue to operate the CDMA network until its 3G coverage is “equivalent or better” that CDMA.
Senator Conroy this week received a report on Telstra 3G network coverage from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). He says he still wants to hear feedback from users before making the decision.
The issue is shaping to be the first big test of Senator Conroy since the election. On the one hand, Telstra is applying pressure to be allowed to switch off CDMA because it will save the company millions.
On the other, the NFF – and people in regional areas generally – are wary of the switch, and are already annoyed that the consultation process has been hampered by a lack of 3G network hardware.
As late as last month, the NFF was lobbying Government to force Telstra to keep the CDMA network operational. It is a conducting a new survey of its membership to see things had improved.
“Realistically, farmers haven’t had much time to get, and test, the new hardware to know whether 3G is up to scratch – especially with the Christmas period and other priorities... i.e. for those farmers able to get a crop during the current drought, they’ve been busy harvesting,” the NFF said in a statement.
“We are now re-surveying farmers – through our member organisations – to assess not only 3G coverage, but the service, given the new hardware is now available.”
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