Connecting Australian farmers: Gateways, Gatekeepers and a Forgotten Solution

Abstract

External data connectivity is a significant choke-point for Australian producers seeking to adopt or deploy many teclmology-based innovations on fanns. In many cases it remains a constraint on their ability to operate even with what they have. This paper discusses some of the challenges faced by producers in getting (then staying) connected, as well as those faced by emerging 'second-tier' providers of network connectivity solutions to producers. The paper also revisits a seemingly-forgotten telecommunications option - Ngara - in light of a sector-wide challenge that simply won't go away.