Ronnie is the only person in his town with internet. The digital divide is to blame | ABC Australia

These days, it's hard to get by without the internet, as government and banking services move online.

So what does it mean for the millions of Australia who aren't connected?

Almost three -million Australians are classified as 'highly excluded' from the digital world, meaning they don't have access to affordable internet, or don't know how to use it.

There's concern the so-called 'digital divide' is widening the gap between the city and the bush, and limiting opportunities in Aboriginal communities.

National regional social affairs reporter Erin Parke headed to the central Kimberley to find out how people are coping in an increasingly digital world.

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[longrider]

Many years ago, at the start of the Internet boom, here in the US. A friend of mine who worked for the local phone company, went around to all the towns in Wyoming, to make sure they had or could get Internet. Several towns that where out in the middle of literally Nowhere, he recommended using Satellite Internet. But now you can also do Internet over Ham Radio, just something to think about. I hope this is read by some one who can help, but there are things called Cell Phone Boosters. simple to set up and only about 300 dollars US for a decent one. There are ranchers in Wyoming who have to use them.

[BenjaminArntzen]

18.7mbps down is 20-30 years behind? Wow

[aroskyd]

Personally I've only bridged the digital gap in the past decade. Previously I was living in the bush, though I grew up in Sydney, but being on the dole I had no access. Only after ending up in trouble did a friend get me to buy a smartphone, after which I reconnected with civilisation. These days I'm learning more about tech, the digital divide is more noticeable in a lack of computer literacy that is hard to recover from not to mention exorbitant telco fees that compound lack of access 🤔📲

[holobolo]

The download speed was 18.7mbps, yet you showed a quick shot of the slow upload speed... plenty of people within metropolitan area getting speeds the same or worse than that. Not saying this isn't a legitimate issue, it absolutely is, but dishonest/misleading reporting is not the way to go about it. I expect better from ABC.

[seccat]

You should have an cellphone tax. You could use the proceeds to expand the network.

[PiDsPagePrototypes]

Tell 'em to say bugger off to the government and get themselves a Starlink access point at the local town centre, then share to the whole town, it'll cost the community less then phone towers.
Ubiquti make a 4G dish that would work for the veranda, add a local wifi hub and connect the phone through the data service.
Starlink has also just recently announced a service that will allow regular mobile phones to connect to the satellites for low bandwidth data and voice - no change in hardware needed, slower then 4G/3G or NBN, but it's ideal for emergency contact.

[jayhorton]

Starlink we'll fix the reception problems

[sidstevens]

What about satellite internet. They seem to have power after all.

[selwyn]

As I have said, we don't need a voice in parliament, We need a politician who can do their job. Too many shinyarses in Canberra.

[dantheman]

I put all the effort into trying to help fellow Aussies yet you remove my comment, very silly thing to do, did i not fit with your report's

[chazwozza]

Ever heard of Starlink? This problem could be solved very quickly. The government should be moving n this. No excuses!

[christopherpaul]

Get Elon Musk's "Starlink" Satellite Internet... Elon is "The Alien" or "The Starman"...