The Digital Divide Seems To Remain Pretty Stark and Intractable.

I noticed this last week:Monday, 11 July 2022 11:51900,000 households do not have an in-home internet connection: ACCANByKenn Anthony MendozaApproximately 900,000 Australian households still do not have an in-home internet connection despite an increase in remote learning, telehealth services, and work from home arrangements in the last two years, the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network has revealed.Its latest policy positionThe Future of Broadband warns enduring provisions that safeguard the interests of Australians are needed to protect consumers.Australians have endured lockdowns, natural disasters, and significant increases to cost of living since theNational Broadband Network (NBN) was declared ‘built’ by the Federal Government.“Such experiences have highlighted just how essential communications technologies are, and how important it is that these technologies are reliable, resilient, and affordable,” commentsAustralian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) CEOAndrew Williams.Citing ACCAN ’s research, Williams said 57% of Australians on lower incomes experience difficulty paying broadband services at home.“This is unacceptable in a country as wealthy as ours,” Williams declared.“To ensure that the interests of all Australian consumers are protected, there are a number of conditions that need to be met across all fixed broadband networks to ensure that everyone can get and stay connected, not just those who can afford to pay for...
Source: Australian Health Information Technology - Category: Information Technology Authors: Source Type: blogs