The Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee will conduct public consultations in Katherine and Darwin next month for its 20024 review report.

Committee chair Alannah MacTiernan said the aim of the committee’s visit was to get feedback on enhancing connectivity in the Northern Territory’s remote areas, and said the review’s terms of reference, set by the federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland, focused on universal service obligations, First Nations communities’ needs, emerging technologies’ role, and the need to build greater resilience for emergencies and natural disasters.

“The feedback we receive directly influences our recommendations to the government. Previous Reviews have led to significant policy initiatives and investments, and we are committed to helping the government deliver meaningful reform from the 2024 review,” Ms MacTiernan said.

The review is done every three years and Ms MacTiernan said feedback from the public in previous reviews led to initiatives such as the Mobile Black Spot program, the national audit of mobile coverage, and the First Nations digital inclusion plan.

“People in regional, rural and remote Australia are relying on telecommunications services more than ever before – including in the Northern Territory – and reliable, high-speed connectivity supports public safety, day-to-day business, social inclusion and access to essential health and education services,” Ms MacTiernan said.

She will be joined by committee members Ian Kelly, Kristy Sparrow, Fiona Nash and Dr Jessa Rogers for the hearings in Katherine on September 12, from 9am to 10.30am, and Darwin on the same day from 3.30pm to 5pm.

The submission period and national survey finished on July 31. To learn more about the review and the consultation process visit the Regional Telecommunications Independent Review Committee website.