This submission to the 2024 Regional Telecommunications Review addresses the significant and persistent digital divide in regional and remote Australia. The analysis highlights systemic challenges, including affordability stress, limited digital skills, and inadequate infrastructure in non-urban areas. 

First Nations communities face compounded barriers, with a digital gap of up to 23.5 points in very remote areas, reflecting a failure in policy and market approaches to address their unique needs. Emerging technologies like 5G and satellite services offer potential, but affordability constraints limit their accessibility for low-income households, perpetuating inequalities.

The study underscores the importance of community-led, culturally responsive solutions, such as Wi-Fi mesh networks and local support in Indigenous languages, while advocating for regulatory reforms to enhance service reliability and affordability. A mixed technological approach, incorporating "low-tech" solutions alongside advanced technologies, is essential to ensure equitable and resilient connectivity in regional and remote Australia. Addressing these digital divides is crucial for inclusive participation in Australia’s digital economy and society.

This submission argues that despite some improvements, regional and remote Australians continue to exhibit lower digital inclusion scores across Access, Affordability, and Digital Ability compared to the national average and metropolitan areas. The evidence presented underscores the multifaceted nature of digital exclusion, influenced by factors such as age, income, education, housing tenure, disability, and geographic remoteness.