Fast, reliable and affordable internet and phone for the Yarramalong Valley

The Yarramalong Communications Action Group is a group of local Yarramalong, Wyong Creek, Dooralong, Ravensdale and Cedar Brush Creek residents who are actively seeking to improve our communities' access to communications (focusing on our future Internet connectivity options).

We are strictly a non-commercial collective of like-minded residents that wishes to improve our Yarramalong/Wyong Creek/Dooralong/Ravensdale/Cedar Brush Creek area's access to high speed internet.

To lobby for, engage with and otherwise champion the cause of obtaining fast, reliable and affordable internet and phone for the Yarramalong Valley and surrounding districts.

Without action we will be burdened with a slow, and very expensive communications option (SkyMuster NBN satellite) when we are very close to the civilised world of Sydney, Newcastle and the Central Coast.

The Yarramalong Communications Action Group wishes to raise the awareness of the local community of their current fate, and help action a push for something better.

Why should I care? My ADSL is fine!

The YCAG has spoken to dozens of residents who have reported issues with their copper-based phone and ADSL services. Most have experienced delays of weeks, if not months, in having these repaired. Some have told us that Telstra will not repair services at all and are being provided a 4G phone instead – for calls only, no data!

This still meets Telstra's obligation to provide a phone service under the Universal Service Obligation (USO) but these residents no longer have access to any ADSL based internet service. There are now serious concerns being expressed that, with the USO rumoured to end in 2022, Telstra may cease supporting most copper services (including ADSL), especially in less profitable and high maintenance areas like ours.

As NBN require that all ADSL services in wired areas to be terminated 18 months after the NBN services becomes available, the incentive to maintain this technology in the remaining 7% of the nation is low.

Broadband as an essential service

We believe that broadband (defined as a data service capable of providing the required data amounts at the speeds required to keep up with growing demands) is the new 'essential' service of this century. By essential service, we categorise broadband together with other essential services such as water and power.

The vast majority of community interactions are now occurring in the digital, Internet connected sphere. Business, education, shopping, entertainment and social connections are now all occurring online, at increasing speed and utilising increasing data amounts. Without adequate access to broadband communications, individuals, communities and vast areas of the country would be left behind in a 'digital dark age'.

The issue

What we have witnessed over the past few decades since the privatisation of communications services in Australia is the progressive decline in communications accessibility in urban fringes, regional and remote areas. The digital divide between metropolitan data networks and regional areas has grown to alarming proportions.

YCAG will strive to achieve its goals by numerous methods:

• Lobbying:
  • Politicians:
    • State
    • Federal
• Establish a dialog with Telstra & NBNCo.
• Submissions to inquiries
• Investigation of possible private alternatives (as a group we have a better negotiating position than individuals):
  • Local wireless internet providers
  • Use of Fibre that was ran in to the Yarramalong Valley over 20 years ago.
  • Potential organisation of groups to organise private networks
    • Examples include private communications companies providing fibre rollouts.

The above will be progressively undertaken. The more help we get from interested members the better.