Getting broadband into rural areas could help arrest the urban population drift, findings from a recent survey conducted by Professor Geoff Kearsley from Otago University’s Department of Media, Film and Communication, show.
The survey was carried out in the Maniototo and North Otago and showed that the Internet was essential for a number of businesses and provided some level of business support and employment opportunities for most respondents.
Small businesses associated with the Central Otago Rail Trail and other tourism ventures were particularly dependent on the Internet and most farmers made significant use of it as well.
The study also notes that longer term residents in the Maniototo and North Otago had seen the loss of downgrading of local services such as banks and post offices.
“However, significant numbers said that many of these services had been replaced by online facilities and, for many, the service was as good or better,” says Professor Kearsley.
That tallies with our experience. We use the internet for most of our banking and a good deal of billing and payments, research and communication. It’s now a vital part of running our business.
Nearly everyone said that they wanted to be able to continue to live in the district and, although only ten percent said that the Internet was an essential part of making that possible, around two thirds saw Internet access as contributing to their ability to stay.
“It is clear that even with slow and unreliable access, the Internet is playing an important part in rural people’s lives,” says Professor Kearsley.
“The Internet has enhanced their social lives, created and enhanced business opportunities, replaced lost services and is helping rural people to stay where they would most like to live. One or two people have even been able to go and live in the country because of broadband facilities.
“When ultra-fast broadband becomes available to all rural households, then these benefits are likely to be greatly enhanced.”
We’ve got broadband which works at a similar speed as mobile using a T-stick. It’s considerably better than dial-up but a long way from ultra-fast. Improved speed and connectivity would make a big difference.
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Homepaddock 