Furthermore, the Alliance noted in its submission to the Regional Telecommunications Review 2021 that the willingness and ability of medical and allied health providers (many of whom operate within sole trader, partnership or small business arrangements) to provide digital health solutions to rural communities can be hampered by lack of, or poor, telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity. [...] They also continue to experience higher levels of digital exclusion.5 In the era of information overload and the need to utilise digital tools for industry, education and social interaction in digital literacy is paramount. [...] Question 8: How can we achieve equity with respect to mobile services (voice, data and SMS) in regional, rural and remote communities and on regional and remote roads? The 3G network shutdown is an example of how phasing out of older mobile telecommunications technology to make way for newer technology has amplified inequity for people living in rural areas. [...] Any changes to existing digital health technologies or development of new technologies that impact on availability and effectiveness of telecommunications connectivity in rural areas, in turn, may exacerbate poor access to on-demand digital health services for rural communities. [...] Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps The Alliance supports measures to improve the 3 dimensions of digital inclusion: access, affordability and digital ability and literacy, and prioritisation of digital inclusion efforts to ensure that no one is left behind in this digital age of healthcare.
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