Free internet for city, while bush network slowly dies.

As a strong advocate for rural and regional business, I was frustrated to learn that Adelaide city will be getting free internet “aimed at driving business and enticing visitors to the city.”

AdelaideNow – 27 November 2012 (link)

Meanwhile, in the regions we are left with a clapped-out (congested) network that has no more capacity and routinely kicks data (business) customers off the network, to keep priority for voice traffic (mobile phones).*

Ever tried to use the internet in a regional area once the kids get home from school?  Impossible – until the next morning.  Why are wi fi and mobile broadband products continuing to be marketed and sold when the network has no more capacity for them?*

So where is the e-strategy aimed at driving business and enticing tourists to our regions? 

New businesses will not come if technology infrastructure is out-dated or not available.  Tourists will not come if they cannot ‘plug in’ to the rest of the world while they are here.

Mr Weatherill states that his new e-strategy for the city is about “driving opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs” and “providing new ways of communicating with consumers”.  If ever there was a business community that needed the help and could take advantage (productively) of new technology to achieve this, its regional business.

Why talk about “Adelaide’s brand going global” through the use of new technology?  Take the rest of the state with you.

Business SA chief executive Mr McBride said that the new initiative would “help local business gain a competitive advantage”.  What about speaking out for the needs of your regional members?  Actually, I didn’t renew my membership this year for that very reason.  Yes Mr McBride, it has become “increasingly important for business to develop an online presence” – the bush needs that outcome more than ever.

So anyway, as some of you would be aware, 12 months ago I wrote a letter to Mr Weatherill positively responding to his pledge that he would “reconnect with the regions”.  In a recent blog below, 12 months on, I questioned whether or not anything had improved for the regions in this time?!

City-centric direction, strategy and attitude continue to divide the haves and have-nots in South Australia.  It beggars belief that with such a small population, we still do not take advantage of the opportunity to build the state as a tight-knit community, working together so that no one gets left behind.

*Source: www.telstra.com/crowdsupport/business