Wimmera mallee sustainability alliance 12 may 2011
Talking heads ppp 18 nov12
1. Building Pathways for a Digital Future in
Remote Indigenous Communities
Presenter: Daniel Featherstone
Indigenous Remote Communications Association
DBCDE Talking Heads Presentation 20th November 2012
2. Top End Aboriginal Bush
Broadcasting Association
Torres Strait Islands
Pilbara and Media Association
Kimberley Aboriginal
Media
Queensland Remote
Aboriginal Media
Pintupi Anmatjerre
Warlpiri Media Central Australian
Aboriginal Media
Association
Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara
Media Yankunytjatjara
Media
Indigenous Remote Communications Association represents the media and
communications interests and aspirations of remote Indigenous Australia
4. Community Media Centre
Radio Broadcasting Video Production & Community Access
Digital Photography On-line computers
Music recording Archive Computer Videoconferencing
& Meetings
Supported by Regional Media Organisation with:
Media & ICT Training • Employment • Media Production • Language & Culture Programs • Radio, TV & Communications Networks
Resourcing • Events & Festivals • Repair & Maintenance • Business Development • Regional Coordination • Promotions • Advocacy
5. The Changing Environment and Challenges
Opportunities Challenges
Convergence of media Basic telephony needs Limited Internet &
NBN
platforms, inc mobile, not yet addressed mobile access
social networking
Digital Switchover Loss of community Ongoing
via Direct-to-home TV TV broadcasting maintenance
ICTV channel on VAST Limited screen production
capacity & funding
IndigiTUBE Remote Media and
Commissioning model,
Communications def’n of remote content
NITV move to SBS
Maintaining core services,
Stevens Review- expanded RIMOs vast coverage areas
New programs - Multi-media, Music Limited IBP& Aging RIBS facilities-
Development, IT training, animation alternate funding need upgrade
Aspirant Communities /agencies Competing media programs/ facilities
National Jobs Package Increased demand on RIMOs
Demand for language Aging analog collections
and culture programs Need for archiving/access
7. Remote Screen Content Development
Need to re-build production capacity within sector
Stevens Review rec’s 8,10 - $5million content & project fund
Provide screen production & development workshops
Screen funding agencies – establish remote content programs
(CBF and ICS main options currently)
NITV - remote content quota, accessible commissioning
processes; non-exclusive to allow screening on ICTV
Build production income through corporate/ gov’t campaigns
RIMOs as Multi-media hubs in each region (Stevens Rec 11)
8. Concerns about Digital Switchover
• Ongoing maintenance of DTH equipment still
not addressed - service costs prohibitive for
remote Indigenous people
• Stevens Review rec. 38- RICs that receive their
television services via VAST have their
equipment provided, installed and maintained
for free
• Ongoing demand for Community TV
broadcasting of local language content
• Ability to view TV outside of houses reduced
• No redundancy service
• Gap in accessing Indigenous TV services (ICTV,
NITV) in WA & NT during DTH rollout period
9. Start on VAST Depart Aurora
ICTV 6th December 2012 16th December 2013
NITV 12th December 2012 31st March 2013 (TBC)
RIBS Communities DTH Rollout Schedule
RIMO No. RIBS TV sites No RIBS sites where Planned DTH rollout
DTH rollout completed completion date
(16/12/12)
Queensland Remote 16 16 Completed
Aborginal Media A.C.
Pitjantjatjara 15 15 Completed
Yankunytjatjara Media November 2012
Pilbara and Kimberley 24 0 25/6/13
Aboriginal Media
Ngaanyatjarra Media 15 0 25/6/13
Central Australian 20 0 10/12/13
Aboriginal Media
Association
Top End Aboriginal Bush 29 0 10/12/13
Broadcasters Association
Pintubi Anmatjere Warlpiri 11 0 10/12/13
(PAW) Media and
Communications
Torres Strait Islander 14 0 10/12/13
Media Association
TOTAL 144 31
14. The Gaps in Remote Australia
“A digital divide exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous
Australia.” (Finding 2.11, Regional Telecommunications Review 2011-12)
High unmet demand for basic telephony services
Mobile telephony is the most appropriate form of telecommunications
Existing remote fibre networks are not linked into the NBN
Very low home internet access and IT equipment
Market model of NBN breaks down in remote Australia
Latency and asymmetry in NBN satellite solution restricts key
applications - health, education, justice, IPTV etc
15. RTR Key Recommendations
Indigenous Communications Program should be expanded, including a trial of
wi-fi hotspots using selected community phones. (Rec 2.6)
ACMA & DBCDE should report on telecoms in remote Indigenous communities
to monitor the digital divide, including data on availability, take-up & usage. (Rec
2.7, 5.1)
Co-investment program by Commonwealth/state/territory governments, to
expand the mobile coverage footprint in regional Australia. (Rec 3.2)
NBN Co should consider community reference groups as a means of gathering
local community input and advice on the network rollout. (Rec 4.6)
Digital Hubs, Digital Enterprise and Digital Local Government Programs should
be expanded into additional remote and regional areas, not just NBN release
sites. (Recs 5.2,5.7,5.9)
16. Other strategies are needed for digital inclusion
Access facilities Training and support Relevant applications
Relevant content Last-mile delivery Local strategies
18. TheBroadband for the Bush
Alliance
Aims:
1. To promote and represent remote regions’ digital
aspirations and priorities.
2. To advocate for best telecommunications
infrastructure and services for remote Australian
communities, businesses and dwellings.
3. To co-ordinate a research network aimed at
addressing knowledge gaps in remote
communications needs.
4. To build capacity of stakeholders to participate in
a digital environment.
5. To share knowledge and experience.
6. To facilitate and support trials/projects/research
aimed at achieving improved digital outcomes.
20. Remote Media Training & Employment Strategy
Radio
•Broadcasting
Career Pathways •Production
NJP, RIMO Staff role, Video/TV •Outside
production roles,
Broadcast Music
•Camera/Sound
•Performance TRAINING
non-remote media •Writing/Produci
(NITV, ABC, NIRS etc) ng •Recording - Accredited
ICT •Editing/FX •Business or informal?
•Animation
champion, leadership/
mgmt,
other orgs/ programs
Media INFORMAL
Technical IT/Online/
- On-the-job
Skills Worker Social Media
- Peer learning
- Skills
workshops/Industry
forums
- Learning Spaces
Access to (Yes/No?): Language/Cu
Radio/TV studio Governance/ lture
Internet & IT eqt Admin/Man •Archiving ACCREDITED
Mobile / phone age •Translating Appropriate RTOs,
Training & support •Performance regional/ local
Job-ready workplace Teaching/ delivery, link with
tutoring RIMO/employer,
relevant courses
21. The Process of Productive Learning
Source: p.95 Kral and Schwab (2012)
Learning Spaces: Youth, literacy and new Media in Remote indigenous Australia
22. National Jobs Package (NJP)
Stevens Review Rec 30: Increase the number of positions allocated
under the NJP to the Indigenous media sector in regional and
remote regions with high demand for such positions.
NJP needs review to address following issues:
multi-site delivery (ie- not single workplace);
training allocation does not recognise remote delivery (travel,
vehicles, trainer wages and on-costs, training equipment);
Administration& on-costs allocation insufficient;
Needs flexibility (not fixed hours/week) to suit media activity,
organisational needs, part-time staff and remote work practice;
High turnover due to low wages & limited career pathways;
Wages not tiered, doesn’t recognise training, skills, experience, or
language skills.
- Supports 8 RIMOs and over 150 RIBS communitiesAdvocate to government on media and communications needs across remote Australia
There are 1113 remote Indigenous communities across Australia.
Existing fibre-optic cable rolled out to remote communities not connected to NBN. This could extend the network significantly.
Our mob fall within the 3%Remote solution under NBN is satellite solution 12/1 Mbps. Policy should be to increase terrestrial coverage into the future. Latency, asymmetry, usage cost structures, maintenance costs, download caps, contention ratios, real-time streaming capability, network management, last-mile delivery systems, and ability to aggregate usage within a community or region, will all help to determine the usefulness and potential uptake and future applications in remote communities. IRCA strongly urges the use of terrestrial broadband delivery (i.e. fibre optic or microwave) rather than satellite backhaul delivery for remote areas to reduce ongoing costs and latency, improve reliability and provide future capacity;
Basic telephony needs in remote communities should be addressed as a matter of priority. Mobile telephony should be seen as a primary telephony service for remote Australia – people are mobile, have an individual phone, not shared with large households, pre-paid, and allows internet accessUSO arrangement to ensure affordable access/ capped calls; Local exchange upgrades and last-mile networking audits should be carried out to ensure access for Indigenous users;Sufficient broadband capacity be provided to enable use of two-way streaming applications (fast upload as well as download), including telephony, videoconferencing (used in tele-health, education/ training, justice etc- saves lives., VoIP, IP-TV
Rec 2.6 - There should be a continuation and expansion of the Indigenous Communications Program, with sufficient flexibility to allow for tailored localised training and digital literacy solutions. The program should include a trial of wi-fi hotspots using selected community phones. (Response: DBCDE is conducting a trial of internet kiosks using the Interim Satellite Service in three remote Indigenous communities. DBCDE is also planning to conduct a trial of wi-fi enabled community phones in six locations, with the results available in early 2013.)Rec 2.7 - The ACMA and DBCDE should report on the status of remote Indigenous communities in respect of telecommunications to monitor the digital divide, including through the collection of data on availability, take-up and usage. (Govt response only notes the ‘vital assistance provided by the ICP’, and again “this recommendation will require further consideration”)Also: Rec 5.1 - It is critically important to better understand the economic, social and workforce participation challenges faced by vulnerable and disadvantaged groups. The ACMA should develop metrics and collect data on these challenges, including the contribution improved access to high-speed broadband could make to increasing workforce participation of these groups.Rec 32- The committee recommends a co-investment program, jointly funded by the Commonwealth and interested states or territory governments, to expand the mobile coverage footprint in regional Australia, focusing on priority regions selected with community input. Open-access arrangements for other carriers to tower infrastructure and/or domestic roaming arrangements should be a feature of the program. (Govt response- The only solution in the response involving development is to look at possible shared use of NBN wireless towers, however the NBN wireless towers will have minimal presence in the remote areas as they are to be almost solely located in regional areas) No mention of extending mobile telephony in remote areas. WA gov’t doing $110 million co-investment mobile rollout program in regional and remote WA.Rec 4.1- The principle of a uniform national wholesale price for like services across technology platforms is essential on an equity basis and should be a fundamental tenet of future policy in this area.Rec 4.4 The committee recommends that, as a priority, clear information about the ISS and the long-term satellite solution should be provided to people and organisations in areas that will be served by satellite. There will be benefits in developing case studies that demonstrate, in real life situations including shared connections, the range of broadband applications that can be used effectively over satellite technology. Rec 4.6 NBN Co should: 1) Consider community reference groups as a means of gathering local community input and advice on the network rollout.2) Actively seek opportunities for collaboration with state and territory governments to achieve better results or efficiencies in the network rollout. (Response: NBN Co has been actively seeking opportunities for collaboration with state and territory governments to achieve better results and efficiencies in the network rollout through its capacity as a member of the NBN Liaison Group (NBNLG). NBN Co has encouraged states and territories to form internal coordination groups or taskforces to facilitate cross-government liaison.) What about community reference groups? Rec 4.7 NBN Co should develop a clear network extension policy. NBN Co’s network extension policy should make provision for community contributions. Re 5.2 - To provide practical assistance to improve digital literacy in regional Australia, the government should expand the Digital Hubs program into additional regional areas, not limited to NBN release sites.Rec 5.3 - Not-for-profit organisations should be supported to work together to strengthen their digital literacy capabilities and develop local strategies to take advantage of the digital economy. (Govt response: The Government has already provided $10 million over three years to establish the Digital Enterprise program to help small-to-medium enterprises and not-for-profit organisations in 40 communities to first benefit from the NBN). Rec 5.5 – A National Digital Productivity Council of Experts in regional service delivery should be established to ensure significant digital productivity issues are addressed and to provide a formal coordination mechanism for the Commonwealth, states and territories. (Govt Response: the Government is investigating whether there are existing forums that could undertake this work or whether it is necessary to create a new body as recommended by the Sinclair Review)Rec 5.7- To enhance the digital literacy and preparedness of regional small businesses, the Digital Enterprise program should be expanded into additional regional areas not limited to NBN release sites. DBCDE should also work with state and territory governments to encourage businesses to participate more fully in the digital economy.
Need supplementary programs to build on the NBN to overcome the digital divide. Remote people aren’t digital ready.Very few remote Indigenous people have home IT accessLast-mile delivery (eg-via WiFi) enables aggregation of use and cost Need access facilities, including after hours accessNeed training and IT support (ongoing)Need relevant content and applications Need regional strategies/partnerships and local ownership
Partners- Ngaanyatjarra Council, Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, WA Government, Australian Government, Telstra, Ngaanyatjarra Media$5.8million project completed 2007 400km of fibre optic cable rolled out to reach 6 communities6 more remote sites provided shared broadband satelliteShared service distributed via WiFi to community in all 12 sites
Need regional training facilities and RIBS Building Upgrade Strategy to enable appropriate workplaces for RIBS workers. Screen Australia / Media RING Indigenous Employment Project addresses only small part of remote media sector needs. Stevens Review Recs 28, 29, 31: focus on employment in mainstream media; most remote people want community jobs.
