Council Highlights Frustrations with Digital Connectivity and Black Spots
With the conclusion of the 3G network, residents of the Loxton Waikerie district are feeling the strain, with many left without signal or experiencing calls dropping and slow internet speeds depending on where they are situated. The Council is also concerned about the impact this has on those living on the edge of the 4G network, where connectivity is unreliable, and services are often interrupted.
The Council has taken proactive steps by lobbying major telecommunications providers like Telstra, pushing for six key areas in the Loxton Waikerie district to be included in the next phase of black spot funding. While the Council remains hopeful, there are no guarantees that these priorities will be considered in the final funding allocation.
Looking to the future, the Council has committed to continuing its advocacy efforts on behalf of the community. Local residents are encouraged to also make their voices heard in the lead-up to the upcoming election cycle, by reaching out to local members and South Australian Senators to make it clear how important digital connectivity is for the district’s prosperity.
“The current standard of connectivity in our region is simply not good enough. Our communities depend on reliable access to mobile and internet services for everything from conducting business to ensuring safety while traveling. With black spots across the district, including critical areas like Loxton North and Moorook South, we are seeing a growing divide where there are clear winners and losers in terms of digital access. It’s time for this to be addressed.”
“It’s concerning to see telecommunications companies asking for more from local governments to fix issues that should be part of their responsibility. The District Council of Loxton Waikerie is committed to supporting efforts to remediate black spots, but we need more commitment from telecommunications companies and state and federal governments.”
“We urge residents, businesses, and community groups to contact their local representatives to ensure the government understands how critical digital infrastructure is to our future. The Council will continue to advocate for necessary improvements, but we need everyone’s help to make sure this issue remains front and centre.”- David Beaton