Chapter 1. Introduction
The Information Age is well and truly upon us. The world's economy is changing at a pace which is often difficult to comprehend. Information Technology, especially in the form of the Internet, is changing the face of society within many countries, and the interaction between players in the economy and society.
As with many changes, there are winners and losers. The winners of the Information Age are those who adopt early, adapt, and innovate. A phrase that has crept into common usage is "The Digital Divide," which is loosely used to indicate the gap that occurs between different parts of society as a result of varying rates of adoption of Information Technology. The Digital Divide was first referred to in a socio-economic context where there was concern, and evidence, that some socio-economic groups are unable to fully participate in the economy, and in society, because of their inability to be trained in, or access, Information Technology. The concept of the Digital Divide has also been applied globally where whole national economies might be disadvantaged through infrastructure problems. Within New Zealand there is growing concern about a Digital Divide developing between urban and rural areas.
Telecommunications is one of the pillars underpinning the Information Age. Access to telecommunications services, and the quality of telecommunications infrastructure, are of critical importance in delivering opportunities promised by the Information Age.
This report was commissioned to answer the following questions:
Research Question (I)
To what extent are the current institutional arrangements for telecommunications delivering adequate telecommunication services to rural people, businesses, and organisations in terms of:
- economic development (eg ability of rural businesses to access Internet, cell phone coverage etc);
- education (eg ability of schools to access the Internet or use videoconferencing, etc);
- health and safety (eg 111 access, rural hospitals' ability to use videoconferencing etc);
- equity (ie compared with urban users)?
Research Question (ii)
What is required (in engineering terms) in order to deliver adequate services?
Research Question (iii)
If adequate services are not being delivered under the current institutional arrangements, why not?
Research Question (iv)
What is the potential for new and emerging technologies to overcome rural telecommunications problems?
A survey of rural users of telecommunications services was used to generate information for this report on the current state of telecommunications services to rural users. Informal telephone interviews and an email survey were used to collect further ancillary information. By using the Rural Delivery system to distribute the surveys, responses were restricted to locations outside of population centres.
Telephone interviews and web-sourced material were used to obtain information on the technical issues associated with the telecommunications infrastructure required to deliver the services and products of the Information Age.
The main area of interest in this report is "local access", ie. the ability of the user to access the main telecommunications network.
| © MAF 2000 | ||
| MAFnet Help | Last updated: 28-Nov-2002 | Important Disclaimer |
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
Contact this person
